by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Univers de Pan, a 6-year-old trotter driven by Philippe Daugeard, was an easy winner of the prestigious Grand Criterium de Vitesse de Cote d’Azur, raced Sunday afternoon (March 9) at Cagnes sur Mer in southern France. The purse for the winner was $125,000.

Gerard Forni photo

Univers de Pan was an easy winner of the prestigious Grand Criterium de Vitesse de Cote d’Azur.

Univers de Pan was in command from the start and won very easily in 1:52.3, followed by Italian trotter Pascia’ Lest, driven by Andrea Guzzinati, while the French mare, Vanika du Ruel, driven by Franck Anne, finished third.

This was the first win in a Group 1 race for Univers de Pan, who has been a runner-up in several of the big races during the Winter meeting at Vincennes. In the Prix de France a month ago, he was a beaten second in a photo finish.

Univers de Pan is sired by the French sire Kenya du Pont and is by far his best foal. He will stand at stud for the first time this year and at $5,500, live foal, he is well priced.

The Grand Criterium de Vitesse is one of just 30 races out of more than 11,000 races in France which is raced over the mile distance. In 2000 the great champion mare Moni Maker, driven by Jimmy Takter, won the Grand Criterium de Vitesse in 1:53.2.