Oh, it's a huge thing in France, Cyc, am not surprised at the statistic you advise. Trotting was once a very big thing in Germany too, right up to the '90s I would say. Sadly, it has fallen away dreadfully in recent years, although it still goes on. As I have said many times before, it's all about gambling on football games here, more often than not involving teams that I have never even heard of! If I'm going to lose a couple of euros, I'll lose it on the hosses, thank you very much, sod football matches, cards, and one-arm-bandits (and betting on elections too).
Could not agree more; would rather stick with the vagaries of a four legged creature's bonce than some f****n' eejit playing footie, a passtime played while drink has been taken or a machine programmed to 'eat' your hard earned!
Today at La Capelle, Aubrion du Gers, last start victor over Bold Eagle, stepped out in the EU100,000 G3 Grand Prix De La Regionale Du Nord as a 1-3 favourite. 2700m. He's No 7 in the blue with a red stripe and cap.
In American pacing, the be all and end all for 3 year old colts, is the Little Brown Jug. The fillies version is the Little Brown Jugette. The girls kicked off the two elimination heats with a couple of dominating performances. In the first heat Blazin Britches made a one act affair of her race, while in the second heat, Caviart Ally did the same. Going into the final, it looked a race in two. Blazin Britches drew the inside gate and Caviart Ally began beside her. The race was run today.
There is France and there is the USA. The two power houses of global trotting. The USA has pacing covered, they're a class above the rest of the planet. Sure a good one can crop up from elsewhere, but the depth of US pacing is as deep as the Marianas Trench. When it comes to trotting, I think France leads the way, but the US and to a lesser degree Canada, still produce class racehorses. Last weekend the prestigious, Canadian Maple Leaf Trot was run. Last year's Dan Patch Champion Older Female Trotter Hannelore Hanover, crossed the border into Canada and stole the biscuits. After the race her driver Yannick Gingras said of the mare. "When she's like this, in North America anyway, I'll take on any trotter." North American Trotters sometimes find themselves racing in Europe, it would be nice to see the 5 year mare take her place among the best in France.
She scared the crap out of me in running Ron. I thought she was gone at the 600. I'm surprised that they reckon she ran the fastest last 600m in track history though. It appears that age is beginning to blunt her sprinting abilities and I have to confess to feeling fear if she steps out at 2000m in Sydney before the Cox Plate tilt. The distance will suit her, and she'll probably win, but I'm scared that they might have flattened her come target day. I'd hate to think she left it all in her Sydney prep and rolled up at the Valley with one run too many under her belt. Either way, I hope this is the end for her. Cox Plate and no more.
Cyc: Was in Philadelphia once on business, and one evening took the special bus to the Brandywine harness racing track just over the State line in Delaware. Was losing but managed the last winner to win a bit on the night, but damned near missed the bus back due the wait to pick-up my lolly from the Tote. Also, took in the Liberty Bell track in Philadelphia itself for one visit, that was normal dirt track flat racing.
The Little Brown Jug Final. Downbytheseaside went into the race as the favourite in front of Fear The Dragon. Both top colts, but they were put in their place by Filibuster Hanover who ran the field off it's legs.
I'm not too sure Ron, but I don't think Caravaggio will be making the trip. It looks like being an all Australian affair. I'm not sure how this race will pan out though. The horses for these $600,000 slots ($1,800,000 for 3 years) are not moving as fast as I think the club wanted, but I suppose the full 12 will be taken by race day. And I'm not sure about the quality of the field either. There are some good youngsters in it and the old bloke Chautauqua, who I think is a light of another day, but there doesn't appear to be anything of well above the rest in the race. It's wide open. But who knows, the race might spring a surprise.
The E240,000 G1 Prix des Élites, a race for 3 to 5 year olds was run at Vincennes yesterday over the 2200m trip. The winner was a big robust 5 year old called Cyprien Des Bordes. He started at 3-1 on the tote. No 12, in green and red, he comes from well back.
It looks as though Bob Baffert has unearthed another class 3 yo. His latest hot prospect is West Coast. Last Saturday he went back to back G1s, smoking them in the million dollar Pennsylvania Derby.
A huge win for Trapese Artist, despised 40-1, stable mate of the favourite Menari, in the $1,000,000 Golden Rose in Sydney. He's drawn wide and is in the black and yellow. No 5.
With the running of the $10,000,000 The Everest only weeks away, one of the major chances in the race, the Golden Slipper winner, She Will Reign, last night had her final hit out before the big event. She drifted well back early in the 1000m G1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley and looked out of it, but came late with a mighty rush. The filly fetched a paltry $19,000 at the sales. 19 people paid just over a grand a piece for her and to date she's earned $2,859,150. Before the Slipper, a gent from China tried to buy into the filly, but the owners refused to sell. But so big a fan was the Chinese billionaire Mr. Yuesheng Zhang of She Will Reign, he paid the $1,800,000 for a slot in The Everest and did a deal with the owner syndicate to split the prize money 50-50. If she wins, each party will pocket $2,900,000. Not too shabby an investment, especially for the 19 owners who got into the horse for bugger all. The Moir. She Will Reign is in white and blue. No. 13. Scroll down for the replay. https://www.racing.com/news/2017-09-29/reign-she-does-in-moir