Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Big Days in Paris

December 28, 2005

The $145,000 Criterium Continetale---one of Europe's biggest races for four-year-old trotters---was won by Nijinski Blue on Monday, December 26 at Paris' Vincennes Racetrack. The 28-1 shot Nijiniski Blue, driven by Yves Dreux won by a nose in the final strides in the 5/16s mile event, timed in 1:552 (mile rate) -- a new stakes record for the race. The old record was held by Love You, who won the race, in 2003, in 1:56.2. Triton Sund finished second, with French trotter Niky third.

The $290,000 Prix de Vincennes---a saddle race for three-year-old trotters, was raced at a distance of one and 11/16 miles and was won by the filly Ombre du Yams, with Jean-Etienne le Bec up. in a mile rate of 2:02.1 Orilie de Retz, with Eric Raffin finished second.

The driver, 26-year old Jean-Etienne le Bec, was the first apprentice to win a Group 1 race in France. Drivers must have won 35 races in order to drive in a top-graded race. Monday’s great victory was the 37th of his career.

On Christmas Eve, Jag de Bellouet, the winner of the 2005 Prix d’Amerique, finished third in a saddle race to Joyau d’Amour, who established himself as the horse to beat in the upcoming Prix de Cornulier on January the 22, one week before the Prix d’Amerique.