First spring stake in France
The Winter Meet at Vincennes is barely over after last week's Prix de Selection (Gr. 1) and the spring is starting. The spring races in France start traditionally with the Grand Critérium de vitesse de la Côte d'Azur. This is a Group 1 race over the mile, we change scenery from the volcanic ash of Vincennes to the ocean view Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Hippodrome de Cagnes-sur-Mer is roughly a 4/5 mi (1288m) track with a stretch that is just shy of a 1/4 mile (350m). The track record was set in 2024 in a time of 1:49.3 by Italian Vernissage Griff. To date that is the fastest time recorded in France.
This year there is €200.000,- on the line, €90.000,- for the winner. This is around $237,320, with a 1st prize of $104,566 is USD. This year we have a strong field of 13 horses going behind the gate. Notables among them are this years Prix d'Amerique winner Hokkaido Jiel, the 2025 Elitloppet winner Go On Boy, Prix de Cornulier winner Iguski Sautonne and the young talent Frank Gio.
The field, and info from horses can be found at https://www.letrot.com/courses/2026-03-08/601/4
The race is on Sunday at 9:15am EST and watchable live for free at https://www.letrot.com/videos
Yesterday it was time for the Grand Critérium de vitesse de la Côte d'Azur. After a 3 way sprint of the car it was Iguski Sautonne who arrived first at the turn. Go On Boy was stuck 3 wide before taking the first over position down the back stretch. As the pack turned into the final stretch it was Iguski Sautonne who drew clear from the rest. Go On Boy and Inmarosa were fighting for the other steps on the podium when from the mid pack Harley Gama came with a flying last spurt to grab second before Go On boy and Inmarosa.
The winner posted a time of 1:50.2, a new lifetime mark for Iguski Sautonne and the fastest trotting time in 2026. He earned €90.000,- with this win, which was his third Group 1 win, and his second of 2026. The in 2018 born son of Village Mystic (Love You) only broke through into the top of French racing in 2024 and seems to be hitting his best stride in 2026. Personally I believe a invite to the 2026 Elitloppet might be in his future!
The race replay can be watched here: https://www.letrot.com/courses/2026-03-08/601/4
Quote from NiekH on March 9, 2026, 4:51 PMYesterday it was time for the Grand Critérium de vitesse de la Côte d'Azur. After a 3 way sprint of the car it was Iguski Sautonne who arrived first at the turn. Go On Boy was stuck 3 wide before taking the first over position down the back stretch. As the pack turned into the final stretch it was Iguski Sautonne who drew clear from the rest. Go On Boy and Inmarosa were fighting for the other steps on the podium when from the mid pack Harley Gama came with a flying last spurt to grab second before Go On boy and Inmarosa.
The winner posted a time of 1:50.2, a new lifetime mark for Iguski Sautonne and the fastest trotting time in 2026. He earned €90.000,- with this win, which was his third Group 1 win, and his second of 2026. The in 2018 born son of Village Mystic (Love You) only broke through into the top of French racing in 2024 and seems to be hitting his best stride in 2026. Personally I believe a invite to the 2026 Elitloppet might be in his future!
The race replay can be watched here: https://www.letrot.com/courses/2026-03-08/601/4
I like the use of two announcers! They say so much. I wish I understood more than two words of French!