France’s new trotting star, the 6-year-old Jabalpur with Eric Raffin, struck again on Saturday evening (Aug. 23), winning a decisive victory in the Grand Prix du Departement des Alpes at Cagnes Sur Mer in 1:51.4, ahead of long-time leader Ideal Ligneries with trainer/driver Jean Philippe Monclin and the Italian Dimitri Ferm with Marco Stefani.
The race favorite, Phillipe Allaire-trained Hohneck with Gabriele Gelormini, who was supposed to have his last start here before The International Trot at Yonkers, disappointed and finished in sixth place after being parked outside as the leader for most of the race.
Jabalpur, trained by Alain Chavette, earned 81,000 Euros for the victory – it was the second time in a short period that he secured a win in a Group race. In June, Jabalpur won the Prix Rene Balliere at Vincennes.
In Sweden, 3-year-olds were in focus at the Ôrebro track, where finals in the E3 race series were held, each with a first prize of 1 million SEK – or $100,000.
Among the colts, David Person-trained Nightlife In (sired by Day or Night) driven by Carl Johan Jepson In – won in 1:54.1f, while the filly division saw Bonsse Garde (sired by Makethemark) driven by Rikard N. Skoglund – trained by Fredrik Wallin – as the clear winner in a new track record of 1:53.4f.
In Finland, the Derby for 4-year-olds was held over a distance of 1-5/8, and here the favorite Romanov Comery with Santu Raitala won.
Romanov Comery earned 100,000 Euros for the victory, which was secured in 1:58.3f (mile rate).
At the Mariendorf track in Berlin, Germany, the Derby is also being held this weekend.
On Saturday, the mares Derby was won by Uffizie (sired by Trixton) with her trainer Josef Franzl in the sulky, securing a win in 1:58 (mile rate).