June 30, 2013

Today at Treviso (ITY) the internationally renowned Mack Grace SM (7m CC’s Cmbro Grace SM-Armbro Goal) easily won the 45,100 euro Gran Premio Cita’ di Treviso in a sharp  1.10.8kr for driver Roberto Andreghetti. The favorite defeated Owen CR with Pietro Gubellini driving. Orleans OM was third over the 1609 meters autostart course. The winner is from the maternal family of Gallant Hanover (E.H. Harriman Challenge Cup winner), Gil Hanover (second in Yonkers Trot), and Glass Hanover (Copenhagen Cup winner at age five).

Mack Grace SM (Gaet photo)

On Saturday the well regarded Prussia (Ken Warkentin -Elvezia-Pine Chip) with Pietro Gubellini up engineered a game first over trip to win the Gran Premio d’Europa Filly (1600 meters autostart, purse 55,000 euro) in 1.12.3kr. The Fabrice Souloy trained filly has demonstrated her grit and determination this summer, today being no exception.

Prussia (Gaet photo)

Prussia with Pietro Gubellini up (Gaet photo)

Also on Saturday the Gran Premio d’Europa (209,000 euro, 2100 meters autostart, UET Masters Series)  was captured by Princess Grif (4f Varenne-Feuve Grif-Viking Kronos) and Roberto Andreghetti. Timed in 1.14.3kr she defetated Pitagora Bi (Self Possessed-Guidara As-Lemon Dra) with Gubellini aboard and Pascia Lest (Varenne-Superior Sun-Diamond Way) with Enrico Bellei up.

Stall Trot Inc.

June 29, 2013

Deuxieme Picsous (6m In Love With You-Carmela Stromline-Delvin Kosmos), in rein to Johan Untersteiner, handed Nahar a defeat in today’s Gr. II UET Master Series Malarpriset Gold Division at Eskilstuna scoring in 1.12kr. The 2140 meter autostart event offered 300,000SEK to the winner. Robert Bergh’s Nahar (8g Love You-Mahonny Broline-Joie de Vie), the 2013 Elitloppet winner, was second with Harry Haythrow (7g Rite On Line-Speedy Tilda-Spotlite Lobell) third for Peter Untersteiner. Iceland and Oracle were also in the beaten field. The winner’s maternal family brings back memories. His second dam is Shark Bait Staro (Bonefish-Jitterbug-Speedy Scot) and two generations further back shows Gremlin, dam of Saboteur, winner at age two of the E.H. Harriman Challenge Cup and the American-National. Don’t overlook the sire In Love With You either. He’s by Coktail Jet from Amour d’Aunou.

Deuxieme Picsous

Nahar was used hard in this effort, attacking three-wide to gain the lead after You Bet Hornline and Mr. Pocolit battled early. You Bet Hornline followed Nahar and then broke stride allowing Deuxieme Picsous an inside opening that he took full advantage of to score at 17/1. Race replay can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgw5-vmL75k

The fine card at Eskilstuna also included other serious winners:

• Time Machine (4m Super Arnie-Union Highness-Pythagoras) won the Klass II Final in 1.13.8kr for Jorgen Westholm. The 2140 meter autostart race provided 200,000SEK to the winner who is six for 19 lifetime;
• Sahara Fairytale (4f Viking Kronos-Sahara Shadow-Graduate Student) won the Klass I Final in 1.14.1kr for Lutfi Kolgjini. The 2140 meter event offered 200,000SEK to the winner;
• Rolling Stones (3m Viking Kronos-Hot Pants-Pine Chip) won the Svenska Fodor Gr. I International event in 1.13.8kr. The winner earned 800,000SEK in this 2140 meter autostart race. Orjan Kihlstrom drove for trainer Stefan Hultman to keep the winner undefeated in seven lifetime starts. Watch this one in future summer three year-old battles. Breakbumper (3m by Viking Kronos) finished second for Robert Bergh with Tumble Dust (3m by Crazed) third for Johnny Takter;
• No Deal (8m Earthquake-Eli Split-Clash Hammering) took the 2140 meter autostart Bronze Final in 1.12.9kr for Johnny Takter. The winner earned 220,000SEK and scored for the 22^ndtime in 50 career outings;
• The Svenska Foder Final Gr. I International for fillies went to Mellby Briolett (3f Going Kronos-Merit Lane-Lindy Lane) with Johan Untersteiner up for trainer Roger Walmann. The 2140 meter autostart event earned 800,000SEK for the 1.14.5kr winner;
• Rocky Winner (5m Credit Winner-Level Fortytwo-Arnaquer) won the Silver Division in 1.13.2kr over 2140 meters autostart. Ake Svanstedt drove the winner to the 250,000SEK score.

At Dannero the veteran Kadett CD (6m Scarlet Knight-Kiss of Life-Tenor de Baune) won a 1640 meter event in 1.13.1kr for Ulf Eriksson. He earned 20,000SEK for his 21^stwin in 39 lifetime starts. Robert Bergh trains the winner.

At Kincsem Park, the 500,000 HUf Lady Flame DIK went to Vic Attack (10g Hans Boshoeve-Iris Attack), scoring for SLO trainer/driver R. Hanzekovic and owner Fred Hocsman. He defeated Rose’s La Nina (by Pearsall Hanover) and Orifiamma Jet (by Supergill from Ticket To Ride) in 1.17.9kr over 1960 meters in this distance handicap race. The winner has won three of his last four, two at SLO tracks Ljutomer and Ljubljana. Last week at Kincsem Park the top HU-bred trotters contested the prestigious heat-race, the Dr. Jozsef Vecsekloy Memorial for 2 million HUf over 1800 meters autostart. Post positions were drawn in advance for the three heats with final results determined by best in placings. Landlord (8m Baltic Bet-Golden Lady) took heat #1 in 1.15.1kr, from post six, over Nobody (6m Tony Oaks-Gunnel Diadem) with Lucky Luke (8m Copiad-Eugenia) third. Heat #2 went to Nobody from post eight with Emil Csordas the trainer/driver, in 1.17kr over Nana (6f Tony Oaks-C’est la guerre) and Orlando Bloom (5m Zador-Donna Summer), both Imre Fazekas trainees. The two heat winners matched off alone in heat #3 with Landlord making a decisive stalking move to defeat the game Nobody in an all out sprint to the line. In the placings, the race win went to Landlord (1-6-1) over Nobody (2-1-2) with Nana (5-2-x) awarded the third spot. The weekly fast-class race on that card was won by Nick Nolte (6m Tony Oaks-Szinesnzo) in 1.17.5kr over 1960 meters. The distance handicap Butterfly DIJ saw Orifiamma Jet finish second ahead of Zavita Meerswal (7f Good As Gold-Davidia Storm), a recent import from Finland.

Stall Trot Inc.

June 28, 2013

Powell Bi (4m Toss Out-Gulfstream-Pine Chip) scored a narrow win in today’s Prix PMU over 2100 meters autostart. The European male affair with a purse of 56,000 euro was dominated by Italian trotters. The winner, driven by Franck Ouvrie for trainer Fabrice Souloy and owner Az Agr Biasuzzi Srl, won in  a quick 1.12.3kr over Pioneer Gar (4m Varenne-Follia-Pine Chip) and Roberto Vecchione (trainer Holger Ehlert) and Picone (4m Credit Winner-Fabiaz-Lemon Dra) trained and driven by Sano Mollo. The 18 horse field included seven from Italy. The race was the day’s Quinte+ event, and the 65/1 winner Powell Bi caused the non-jackpot payoff to be 227,808 euro for a two euro investment. The jackpot was 5,550,000 euro for the day.

Powell Bi (Paris-Turf)

The co-featured Prix Eva (56,000 euro purse, 2100 meters autostart) for European mares, went to another Italy invader, Oliviass (5f Indro Park-Astrid Gar-Supergill) for driver J-M Bazire and owner Baldi Group Srl.  She scored in 1.12.3kr over another Italian Ombretta d’Esi (5f Faliero As-Giocasta Café-Supergill) for Pierre Vercruysse and fast-closing “blonde”  Vendetta Bourbon (4f Love You-Herba Bourbon-And Arifant) with Dominik Locqueneux driving.

Oliviass (Paris-Turf)

Sweden hosted several high-class races on June 27-28. At Aby on June 27 Red Rose America (3f Varenne-Armbro Voice-Garland Lobell) won the Toyota Pris for driver Kenneth Haugstad and trainer Jerry Riordan. Red Rose scored in 1.14.7kr for her fourth victory in eight starts to earn the 50,000SEK first money for owner Guida Italia Srl. Stirling Allstar (4f Credit Winner-Super Starlet-Muscles Yankee) finished second for Ake Svanstedt. The Hennings Kraffts Minne went to Olivia Lavec (7f Lindy Lane-Espri Lavec-Ultra Ducal) in 1.10.9kr over a mile for Flemming Jansen. She won for the 13^thtime in 38 outings as she defeated Linda di Cassei (8f Uronometro-Comtesse Ferm-Diamond Way) and trainer/driver Allessandro Gocciadoro.

Ekilstuna hosted four top events on June 28 with the winners being:

• Marquis As (3m Striking Sahbra-Karisma As-Mr. Vic), a 1.14.7kr winner over 2140 meters autostart for Jorma Kontio. Winner’s share was 100,000SEK;
• Two other 100,000SEK first prize victors were Mythical Fortune (3f Mythical Lindy-Foreign Fortune-Foreign Office) in 1.15.kr over 2140 meters autostart for Orjan Kihlstrom and Juggle Face (7m Viking Kronos-Rakel Sund-Armbro Goal) in 1.14.6kr over 3140 meters with trainer Lutfi Kolgjini aboard;
• Clara RC (5f Super Arnie-Inez RC-Vasterbo Gracias) won a 200,000SEK first money event in 1.13.8kr over 2140 meters for Johan Carlfjord.

Stall Trot Inc.

June 26, 2013T

he remainder of this week includes several top-flight events worth watching. Starting tomorrow, the International Prix Pierre Coulon goes at Vichy (France) for a purse of 80,000 euro over 2150 meters autostart. A good field of nine will face starters’ orders:

1. Amour d’Occagnes, C. Martens
2. Ubriaco, L. Baudron
3. Roc de Montfort, M. Cormy
4. Prelude Gede, N. Ensch
5. Quoumba de Guez, J-M Bazire
6. Punchy, J. Boillereau
7. Supervisor, F. Jamard
8. Petit Javanais, B. Piton
9. Turbo Jet, J-Et. Dubois

The nine year old mare Quoumba de Guez has lifetime earnings of 993,000 euro while the 10 year-old stallion Punchy brings 866,000 euro into this event.

On June 29 the action moves to Enghien (FR), on the outskirts of Paris, where the hippodrome hosts the prestigious Gr. II International Prix de Washington. Ten solid trotters will contest the sprinter distance 1609 meters autostart for 120,000 euro purse. Timoko, The Best Madrik and Look Mp face off against veterans Commander Crowe (with driver Franck Ouvrie) and Main Wise As.

Prix de Washington . Gr II – euro 120.000, 1609m-autostart

1. Reach De Vandel  (P. Vercruysse)
2. Commander Crowe (F. Ouvrie)
3. Reve De Beylev (D. Locqueneux)
4. Timoko (J. Verbeeck)
5. Main Wise As (P. Levesque)
6. The Best Madrik (J. Et. Dubois)
7. Look Mp (V. P. DellSannunziata)
8. Negresco Milar (M. Guzzinati)
9. Osasco Di Ruggi (R. Vecchione)
10. Viva Island (J. P. Dubois)

Look Mp (Gaet photo)

Treviso (Italy) hosts the Gran Premio Citta’ Di Treviso, a Gr. II event for 45,100 euro purse over the one mile distance on June 30. The good field includes the leading international competitor Mack Grace Sm.

Gran Premio Citta’ di Treviso-Memorial Franco Fraccari (June 30, 2013):
Owen Cr (P. Gubellini)
Mack Grace Sm (R. Andreghetti)
Negresco Milar  (M. Guzzinati)
Orient Horse (R. Vecchione)
Orleans Om (G. Lombardo Jr)
Maigret Bi (M. Biasuzzi)
Noncene’ Play (V.P. Dell’annunziata)

Mack Grace Sm (Gaet photo)

Yesterday, top racing action was in Sweden at Jagersro and Solvalla. At Jagersro the highly regarded Rossella Ross (3f Self Possessed-Northern Jewel-Garland Lobell) took the Elitserien IV in 1.13.9kr. The 2140 meter autostart event was worth 50,000SEK to the winner, trained by Jerry Riordan and handled by Christoffer Eriksson. She is 2-1-2 in five 2013 starts and 11 for 12 on the board lifetime. She defeated Rue du Bac (3m Infinitif-Ici-Diamond Way) trained and driven by Erwin Bot in a close finish. Regio (3m Varenne-Leopardia-Muscles Yankee) was third for Robin Bakker that ended his two-race undefeated record.

Jerry Riordan (Gaet photo)

Also at Jagersro, Luringen Palema (8g Gidde Palema-Maida Vale-Crown Sweep) scored in a fast 1.11kr over 1640 meters autostart for Kenneth Haugstad. He won for the 14^thtime in his career to capture 40,000SEK first prize. The good field included second place horse Nubia (8f Buvetier d’Aunou-Agouti-Ride The Wave) for Peter Ingves followed by Lets Go On, Olympic Kronos, Pershing Bi and Onirique. Another 40,000SEK first money event went to the well regarded Callela Loyalty (5m Classic Response-Louis Smabo-Super Arnie). The invader from Finland scored for Ingves in 1.15kr over 2140 meters autostart, his sixth 2013 victory in nine starts and ninth career win in just 15 outings. He nosed out another Riordan trained, Eriksson driven performer, Paolo America (4m Love You-Armbro Voice-Garland Lobell).

At Solvalla there were three interesting US-pedigree winners of 25,000SEK first money events, each over 2140 meters autostart:

• Berlusconi (5m Andover Hall-Always Victorious-Mr. Vic) in 1.14.7kr for Bjorn Goop;
• Sign Of The Pines (4f Muscles Yankee-Pine Nugget-Pine Chip), 1.13.8kr for Per Lennartsson;
• Dakota Chip (3m Donato Hanover-My Favorite Chip-Pine Chip) in 1.14.1kr with Erik Adielsson driving

Stall Trot Inc.

HippodromeParis-Vincennes today hosted an exceptional trotting card highlighted by the Gr. III International Prix Guillaume de Bellaigue, a monte event over 2700 meters for a 120,000 euro purse. Billed as a battle between Quarry Bay (9f Cygnus d’Odyssee-Barcarolla-Fakir du Vivier) and Pluto du Vivier (10g Extreme Dream-Iguine du Vivier-Buvetier d’Aunou), the prognosticators were right. Ms. Camille Levesque rallied her mare to a close win over Matthieu Abrivard handling Pluto du Vivier, timed in 1.13.2kr and off as even money favorite. The winner is owned and bred by Ecurie Pierre Levesque and trained by Mike Lenders. Second place Pluto du Vivier was bred by Jean-Yves Lecuyer, a leading commercial breeder in France.

Quarry Bay and Camille Levesque

The undercard featured the Prix du Gatinais, a Gr. III European event over 2700 meters for 85,000 euros. Thierry Duvaldestin (Ready Cash’s conditioner) guided Soleil de Fosse (7m Jag de Bellouet-Fortune du Fosse-Neric Barbes) to the win in 1.13.7kr. Off at 2/1 the winner defeated Holland’s Amour d’Occagnes (6m Diamant Gede-Naomi November-Viking Kronos) driven by Christophe Martens with Finland’s Le Cannibale(7m Jag de Bellouet-Heart’s Queen-American Winner) third for Matthieu Abrivard.

Soleil du Fosse

The Vincennes card also included the 80,000 euro Prix du Perreux over 2700 meters for European registered trotters. Italy’s Orchetto Jet (5m Supergill-Frutute Jet-Pinch Chip) was the winner for trainer Mlle. S.C. Lepetit and driver Pierre Vercruysse. The 12/1 winner was timed in 1.13.9kr as he nailed his competitor at the line.

Orchetto Jet

At Montegiorgio Italy the Grand Premio San Paolo (1600 meters, 45,100 euro purse) went to President 4m Varenne-Apres Capar-Supergill) with driver Andrea Farolfi timed in 1.12.0kr. Power Action (4m Civil Action-Gadget Bi-Biesolo) and Plutonia (4m Self Possessed-Indra Bi-Toss Out) finished second and third respectively.

In Scandanavia’s Solanget racecourse the 271,000SEK Gold Division went to Panne de Moteur (5m Credit Winner-Jalopy-Donerail) in 1.13.0kr for Orjan Kihlstrom and trainer Stefan Hultman. The winner has two wins in three 2013 appearances. Francias du Gull (6m Jag de Bellouet-Tantiem Gull-Lindy Lane) was second for Erik Adielsson with veteran Monster Drive finished third. On May 9 at Jagersro, a Category II 68,000SEK event over 1640 meters produced a win for Italy’s Only The Best (5m Andover Hall-Hangone-Workaholic), driven by de Haan Martijn, timed in 1.14.1kr After two December wins in Italy, this was his first 2013 start.

In the US the new Meadowlands showcased high profile winning qualifiers this morning by:

Trotters:

Maven 1:54.1

Hot Shot Blue Chip 1:54.0

Pacers:

Odds On Equuleus 1:51.2

Captaintreacherous 1:51.0

Bolt The Duer 1:52.4

Sunbday’s Oslo Grand Prix field has been reduced by the scratch of Arch Madness.

Stall Trot, Inc.

Thomas H. Hicks