Strong lineup for Prix Kerjacques despite Group 2 status
by Thomas Hedlund
It may “only” be a Group 2 event, but the $125,000 Prix Kerjacques has still attracted a high-quality field to Vincennes on Saturday (April 4).
Dual Prix d’Amérique winner Idao de Tillard (Severino) headlines the race and will face the country’s top gelding Inexess Bleu (Vittel de Brevol), along with fellow Prix d’Amérique champions Hooker Berry (Booster Winner) and Hokkaido Jiel (Brillantissime).
Also lining up are Prix de France winner Iroise de la Noe (Tornado Bello) and Prix de Bretagne winner — and Prix d’Amérique runner-up — Josh Power (Offshore Dream) in the 2,700-meter contest.
ENTRIES LIST
PP — Horse (Sire) — Driver — Trainer
1. Ksar (Follow You) — Matthieu Abrivard — Emmanuel Varin
2. Jazzman Debailleul (Repeat Love) — Erno Szirmay
3. Cobra Killer Gar (Readly Express) — Gabriele Gelormini — Erik Bondo
4. Eros Zola (Zola Boko) — Théo Duvaldestin — Thierry Duvaldestin
5. Hulysse Digeo (Reve de Beylev) — Jean-William Hallais
6. Hannibal Tuilerie (Remember Jihem) — Anthony Barrier — Charles Marcel Bruneau
7. Iroise de la Noe (Tornado Bello) — Robin Lamy — Thomas Levesque
8. Ino du Lupin (Scipion du Goutier) — Antoine Wiels — Jean-Paul Marmion
9. Josh Power (Offshore Dream) — Sébastien Ernault
10. Inexess Bleu (Vittel de Brevol) — Alexandre Abrivard — Laurent-Claude Abrivard
11. Hokkaido Jiel (Brillantissime) — Franck Nivard — Jean-Luc Dersoir
12. Hooker Berry (Booster Winner) — Antonine Lherete
13. Idao de Tillard (Severino) — Clément Duvaldestin — Thierry Duvaldestin
JEAN-MICHEL BAZIRE SET FOR COMEBACK
Three months after a serious training accident, Jean-Michel Bazire is set to return to the sulky.
The incident occurred on Jan. 2 at Grosbois, where Bazire and stable employee René Mascle were both involved in a heavy fall during training. Bazire suffered significant injuries — particularly to his left hand — forcing him to miss the entire second half of the Paris winter meeting.
Following a period of rehabilitation, his comeback — first indicated by his son Nicolas Bazire — is now confirmed by Paris-Turf. He will return at his home track in Royan over the Easter weekend.
Bazire is wasting no time: he is scheduled to drive four horses on Saturday, followed by a trip to Châtelaillon-La Rochelle the next day for three additional drives.
His return is a major boost for French harness racing.
CONCERNS OVER DECLINING HORSE POPULATION IN SWEDEN
Swedish harness racing continues to face structural challenges, with the number of foals declining year after year.
Easter traditionally marks the return of many top horses from their winter breaks, and while several stars will appear this weekend, field sizes remain noticeably small — raising concerns that the highly competitive races fans are used to may become less frequent.
That said, Daniel Wäjersten will send out Gio Cash (Victor Gio) in the Gold Division at Romme on Sunday (April 5). Gio Cash competed in the Yonkers International Trot last fall, finishing fourth, and previously defeated Don Fanucci Zet in major Swedish races during the summer.
Meanwhile, Daniel Redén will field his American stars Allegiant (Tactical Landing) and Keep Asking (Chapter Seven) at Färjestad on Friday (April 3), where both races they contest have attracted notably short fields.
