by Thomas Hedlund

Lovino Bello, the fastest 3-year-old trotter in European harness racing history, will race in today’s (Dec. 8) $220,000 Prix Ready Cash at Vincennes, despite the fact the trotter is suspended from racing due to a case of doping in Italy on Nov. 1.

And when the president of U.E.T (the European harness racing federation), Marjaana Alaviuhkola was called to an extraordinary meeting on Friday (Dec. 6) to address the problem of letting Lovino Bello race in a Group 1 race in Paris, French harness racing acted as if this case is nothing special at all.

This is harness racing’s biggest problem likely all over the planet. Doping, cheating (and in this case it’s not even undisclosed, it’s a fact that Lovino Bello is suspended from racing) and the broken trust for bettors.

France is in many ways a role model for the rest of Europe’s harness racing countries. But in this case… well, let’s say that horsepeople that care for the well-being of the horses, now will look at French harness racing with different eyes, with more suspicion against the machine that steers the big industry in the dominating racing country.

It is important to say is that Lovino Bello’s trainer Jocelyn Roberts admits that the horse was injected with Tildren, 43 days before the race in Italy on Nov. 1.

The Italian list of horses testing positive for doping, including Lovino Bello, can be seen here.

But when the French harness racing society continues to bury its head in the sand, allowing Lovino Bello to race today, the sport’s foundation is shaken. Or maybe I’m just naive…

But if I’m naive, what should be said about the people that allow doping-suspended trotters to race in $220,000 events?

UPSET AT VINCENNES

Saturday’s (Dec. 7) race card at Vincennes included two $125,000-races for 4-year-olds and when the boys’ race, the Prix Octave Douesnel, was underway, winner Kanto Avis (Ready Cash) had to race three-wide during the first half mile before he reached the front in the hands of Benjamin Rochard.

In a pretty comfortable style, Kanto Avis kept the challengers at a safe distance in the stretch and he came home in a mile rate of 1:56.2 over 1.6 miles. Ready Cash sons Keenan de Joudes and Kahl’s Fella finished second and third, respectively.

Kanto Avis was a big upset in this race, where favorite Koctel du Dain held strongly as fifth after a tough trip.

The 4-year-old ladies’ battle ended with victory for Ready Cash daughter Kokote, trained and driven by Mathieu Mottier. Kokote hit the lead a half mile into the race and in front she was unbeatable this afternoon in a mile rate of 1:56.4 over 1.6 miles. Behind Kokote, favorite Kana de Beylev, finished second ahead of Ninetta Boko.