Inexess Bleu dominates Prix Kerjacques
by Thomas Hedlund
Laurent-Claude Abrivard’s Inexess Bleu (Vittel de Brevol), driven by his son Alexandre Abrivard, justified favoritism in Saturday’s (April 4) $125,000 Prix Kerjacques at Vincennes.
Following a sharp early pace, the pair advanced to the lead with 1,600 meters to go. The move was far from straightforward, as Inexess Bleu had to race three- and four-wide before clearing to the front, shortly after Ino du Lupinhad made his own bid for the lead.
Once in command, Alexandre was able to dictate terms at a tempo that suited his horse, with fractions that were not particularly demanding for this level.
Inexess Bleu drew clear for a comfortable victory in a 1:56.2 mile rate over 2,700 meters. Replay here.
Ino du Lupin followed the winner throughout and finished second, while Iroise de la Noe closed strongly from the back of the field to take third.
As for dual Prix d’Amérique winner Idao de Tillard, he was handled very conservatively throughout. Driver Clément Duvaldestin angled him wide in the stretch, but the former champion never threatened and finished seventh.
After the race, connections of Inexess Bleu — who has received an invitation to the Elitloppet — indicated uncertainty about participation. At present, it appears more likely that he will skip the race than take part.
ITALIAN SPOTLIGHT: GRAN PREMIO COSTA AZZURRA
On Monday (April 6), attention shifts to Turin, where the $240,000 Gran Premio Costa Azzurra headlines a major card for the older elite.
Alessandro Gocciadoro once again fields a strong team, sending out Free Time Jepson, Always Ek, and Dany Capar, with the trainer himself driving the latter from post 3 behind the gate.
French raider Laurent-Claude Abrivard also travels with two runners. Inmarosa, a standout performer during the Paris winter meeting, tries the mile distance — possibly with ambitions of securing a place in the Elitloppet — while Elegance Kronos also represents the stable.
Gocciadoro is widely expected to dominate the $220,000 Derby dei 4 Anni ANACT Stakes divisions. In the fillies’ event, he trains five of the 10 starters, with Glamour Queen (Face Time Bourbon) looking particularly hard to beat.
In the colts’ division, he fields three runners — all drawn in the inside posts.
REDÉN’S AMERICAN STARS IMPRESS
At Färjestad on Friday (April 3), Daniel Redén showcased two of his top American-bred horses, both delivering convincing wins.
Keep Asking (Chapter Seven) led throughout in the $60,000 Hertigen av Värmland’s Race, scoring in 1:53 on a track that was far from fast.
Allegiant (Tactical Landing) also found the front mid-race and impressed visually, winning in 1:55.2 over 2,140 meters.
Allegiant’s driver Örjan Kihlström said: “She can really move. It’ll be exciting to see her against top competition this year. There’s reason to dream — then we’ll see how far it takes us.”
The day before, Redén and Kihlström also unveiled La Yuca (Face Time Bourbon), who impressed by overcoming a 40-meter handicap over 2,640 meters.
Looking ahead, superstar Don Fanucci Zet is set to make his seasonal debut on Wednesday (April 8) in an E-Series race at Solvalla.
A FAIR DAY INVITED TO ELITLOPPET
Amateur-trained A Fair Day (Maharajah) has received an invitation to the Elitloppet, marking his third consecutive appearance in the prestigious sprint event on May 31.
Trained by Elisabeth Almheden, the gelding finished fourth in last year’s edition and has since added eight wins, including the C.L. Müllers Memorial. He also captured the Meadow Prophets Minne, won three heats in the Gold Division, and in his latest start in the C.T. Ericssons Memorial he never found racing room from the pocket and finished fourth.
