Ganay de Banville is a new top trotter for Jean Michel Bazire

The 5-year-old Ganay de Banville, with trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire, won the Prix de l’Etoile over 1-3/8th miles at Vincennes in 1:52.2 (mile rate) — the second fastest time in race history.

Only Face Time Bourbon has been faster as he won last year in 1:51.4 (mile rate).

The Prix de L’Etoile is a special race for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old French trotters. The 3-year-olds have an advantage of 50 meters from start as the 4- and 5-year-olds have to trail them by 50 meters from the distance of 2,200 meters or 1-3/8th miles.

The favorite was the 3-year-old Italiano Nero, a colt sired by Ready Cash, trained by Philippe Allaire and with David Thomain in the bike. However, Bazire managed to get Ganay de Banville to the front with 800 meters to go, while Italiano Nero was boxed in with no place to go. Thomain forced his way out with 500 meters back, and Italiano Nero finished strongly for second.

Ganay de Banville won by a length and took home the purse for the winner of $105,000 and has lifetime earnings of $528,000. Ganay de Banville has within the last month established himself as one of the best 5-year-old French trotters as he recently finished third in the Criterium des 5 Ans.

David Thomain was stood down for eight days for his driving with 500 meters to go.

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