by Karsten Bønsdorf

For the first time since 2009, the French trotter Timoko had to return to the stables without winning any purse money.

Gerard Forni photo

#10 Timoko is offstride and instead Tornade du Rib (center) wins.</TD

Timoko, who hails as the leading French 5-year-old trotter, was the heavy favorite in the prestigious Prix Henri Levesque over 1-5/16 mile at Vincennes Saturday afternoon, but in a battle for victory Timoko went off stride 100 yards before the finish line and was disqualified and placed last.

Instead 57-1 shot Tornade du Rib – a 5-year-old mare driven by David Thomain – went on to win by a head beating Tiego d’Etang, driven by Christian Bigeon. The purse for the winner was $80,000.

Tornade de Rib, who is sired by Ganymede, a grandson of Royal Prestige, was timed in 1.55.2 (mile rate) a new personal mark for her.

On the same card the 3-year-old filly, Vanishing Point won an under saddle race over 1 5/16 mile in 1.56.4 (mile rate) – a new race record. The old one was 1.59.1.

In Sweden, a mile event at Solvalla was won by the Oreccchietti, driven by ôrjan Kihlström, in 1.56.2f on a sloppy track.

Last year Orecchietti won the Sprintermästaren, called the The Hambletonian of Sweden though it’s for 4-year-old trotters, but after that win Orecchietti was sidelined with an injury.

He returned to action a fortnight ago, where he made a break and finished unplaced.

Yesterday’s win was worth a wild card for the Olympic Trot next Saturday at Aby, but Orecchietti’s trainer Stefan Hultmann declined the invitation.

“My big goal for Orecchietti is the Elitlopp in May”, Hultmann said.