Paris – The French gelding, 8-year-old Inexess Bleu with Alexandre Abrivard, won Saturday afternoon’s (July 25) Group II race, the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, over 1 3/4 miles at the Enghien track in Paris.
The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere did not turn out to be the easy task for heavy favorite Inexess Bleu that many had expected, and he came close to being beaten.
Halfway through the race, Inexess Bleu and Alexandre Abrivard moved to the front and were allowed to control the pace, which was relatively moderate.
With 600 meters to go, Hooker Berry with Antoine Lhereté launched an attack, but Inexess Bleu had no trouble defending his lead.
Hooker Berry kept pressing, but heading toward the finish, Inexess Bleu still had the advantage.
Just before the finish, Keep Going with Matthieu Mottier and Krack Time Atout with Matthieu Abrivard appeared on the scene, both finishing strongly.
The finish line saved Inexess Bleu, who won in 1:55.1( mile rate) ahead of Keep Going, while Hooker Berry held third place in front of Krack Time Atout.
The purse for the winner was €67,500 for Inexess Bleu, who races for the first time since Elitloppet at Solvalla in May.