Kouvola, Finland — French mare Deli du Pommereux was favored to win Saturday’s (June 19) Group 1 Kymi Grand Prix in Kouvola, Finland, but had to settle for second — beaten a half length — to another French trotter, the 9-year-old Ce Bello Romain.

Ce Bello Romain had Anthony Barrier in the bike and won the 2,100-meter (1-5/16 miles) event in a mile rate of 1.55.1, earning the €100,000 ($118,500) winner’s share of the purse. The American-owned Aetos Kronos was boxed in behind the leader, but made a break with 600 meters to go.

Ce Bello Romain has had a banner year so far, amassing three wins and one third-place finish in four races and recently winning a one-mile event in France in 1:52.2.

In a another race for open class mares, 10-year-old Billie de Montfort went to post as the 1-10 favorite and won easily in a 1.58.2 mile rate to claim the €12,000 ($14,000) winner’s share of the purse.

The French trotters and some of the Swedish trotters who raced at Kouvola today traveled in by way of a special chartered flight Friday, and will take off for Sweden and France Sunday (June 20).