Blue Granvillaise Vies for Victory in Prestigious French Race
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This Saturday, the harness racing world will watch as Blue Granvillaise competes in the Prix Jules Lemonnier, a crucial stepping stone to the coveted Prix de Cornulier. This marks her third attempt at this prestigious race, having finished first in 2022 and fifth in 2023. The outcome could determine her path to the Prix de Cornulier, or a direct entry into the January 5th Prix du Calvados.
Trainer Pierre Levesque shared his insights on Wednesday,stating,“We will decide after the race if she than competes in this event or if she goes directly to the Prix de Cornulier as she did during the last two winter meetings.” He added, “The mare is much better than at the same time last year. She worked well and always ran well on the 2,175 metre courses. She has a good chance, I think. One of his blinders came down shortly after the start recently in the Paul Buquet Prize. She then started shooting for a thousand meters and was forced to go around the others afterward. in short, we got it all wrong…”
Blue Granvillaise: A Competitive Spirit Despite Challenges
Blue Granvillaise, representing Michel gallier, faces ongoing respiratory issues. This Saturday, she’ll partner with jockey Benjamin Rochard for the second time. Rochard commented, “Making contact did not go as we would have liked recently even though she finished her journey quite well. The first three (Editor’s note: Ideale du Chêne, Edition Géma et In Love du Choquel) were able to progress on the rope side in fact while Blue Granvillaise she had to progress outside in the last turn. The mare has given a lot as her debut and we certainly know that we will never be able to wholly resolve her lung problems but despite everything, she is still competitive and has a good chance on Saturday. If all goes well, after the Prix de Cornulier, she will compete in the two Group Is that will be offered to her before ending her career.”
Despite a smaller stable in recent years, Levesque has seen strong performances from other horses this winter. Filwell, such as, won both the Prix de l’Ile d’Oléron and the Prix Auguste François. Jason also made a strong comeback recently.
French Trotter Filwell Outpaces Blue Granvillaise: Levesque’s Stable Shines
The French harness racing world is buzzing with excitement following the recent successes of several horses from the stable of renowned trainer Pierre Levesque. One standout performer is Filwell, who has reportedly eclipsed the previously favored Blue granvillaise in recent competitions. This shift in the pecking order has generated considerable interest among racing enthusiasts.
Levesque himself commented on the notable progress of Filwell, stating, “Filwell is now better than Blue Granvillaise.”
The trainer also offered an update on another promising horse, Jason, who recently competed in the Prix de Normandie. “As for Jason, who was put in at the start of the Prix de Normandie, he completed an encouraging race last week while being shod. He doesn’t have a very good program this winter as he will have to face the ‘K’ but that does not call into question his value, of course,” Levesque explained. The “K” likely refers to a particularly strong group of competitors Jason will face in upcoming races.
Looking ahead,Filwell is scheduled to compete in the Prix Jacques Andrieu on January 26th,the same day as the prestigious Prix d’Amérique. Meanwhile,Jason has several engagements planned for early 2025. This weekend, Levesque’s stable will be represented at Vincennes. On Saturday, Blue Granvillaise will take to the track, followed by Islamorada on Sunday. Islamorada has shown consistent strong performance over the past year, with a recent strong showing further solidifying its potential.
The upcoming races promise thrilling competition and offer a glimpse into the future of French harness racing. The performances of Filwell, Jason, Blue Granvillaise, and Islamorada will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
Blue Granvillaise Prepped for Prix Jules Lemonnier: A Glimpse into Her Prix de Cornulier Chances?
This saturday, all eyes will be on blue Granvillaise as she takes on the Prix Jules Lemonnier at Vincennes. This pivotal race coulddetermine her path to the esteemed Prix de Cornulier or offer a direct route to the Prix du Calvados in January. Pierre Levesque’s talented mare faces stiff competition, but with her extraordinary track record and recent form, the anticipation is palpable.
World Today news senior Editor, Marie Dubois, sat down with renowned harness racing expert, Hélène Richard, to discuss Blue Granvillaise’s prospects in the upcoming race and what it means for her future in this prestigious competition.
Marie: Hélène, Blue Granvillaise has a unique history with the Prix Jules Lemonnier, having won it in 2022 and finishing fifth in 2023. How do you anticipate she’ll perform this year?
Hélène: Blue Granvillaise is a truly remarkable mare. Despite facing ongoing respiratory challenges, she consistently shows strength and determination. Trainer Pierre Levesque has been very cautious with her training, and she seems to be in excellent form. While the competition is fierce, I wouldn’t count her out.
Marie: This race acts as a crucial stepping stone to the coveted Prix de Cornulier. How notable is this saturday’s race for Blue Granvillaise’s chances in that prestigious event?
Hélène: Absolutely vital. A strong performance in the Prix Jules Lemonnier would solidify her position as a top contender for the Prix de Cornulier.
Levesque has indicated that her performance on Saturday will heavily influence his decision regarding whether she enters that race directly or opts for the Prix du Calvados as an alternative path.
Marie: Levesque mentioned some difficulties Blue Granvillaise experienced in a recent race, particularly with one of her blinders coming loose. how could this impact her performance this Saturday?
Hélène: That incident certainly threw a wrench in her plans, forcing her to expend more energy than anticipated. However, Levesque assures us she recovered well from it.I believe her experience and mental fortitude will serve her well. She’s no stranger to overcoming obstacles.
Marie: Despite her challenges, Blue Granvillaise frequently enough seems to find a way to shine. What are some of her key strengths as a competitor?
Hélène: She’s a fighter. Blue Granvillaise possesses a remarkable spirit and a never-give-up attitude.Coupled with her natural talent and stamina, she’s a force to be reckoned with on the track. She’s shown time and again that she can rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Marie: Thank you for your insights, Hélène. Saturday’s race promises to be an exciting one.
Hélène: Absolutely,Marie. I’m looking forward to witnessing Blue Granvillaise’s performance and seeing how she navigates this crucial step on her path to potential glory.
