Yonkers: Alpha D'Urzy, Ursis Des Caillons draw first blood in French-American Trotting Club Series

The French-American Trotting Club Series for horses imported from France through a partnership with the Standardbred Owners Association of New York and LeTrot began on Sunday afternoon at Yonkers Raceway, with Alpha D'Urzy and Ursis Des Caillons posting victories.

In the first $35,000 division, Alpha D'Urzy (Brent Holland), coming in off three straight wins at Saratoga Harness, hit the lead passing the 28 4/5 opening quarter. Alpha D'Urzy was untested to the half, which he reached in just 58 4/5, but race favorite Barry Black (Jordan Stratton) moved first-over to challenge Alpha D'Urzy at the 1:29 1/5 three-quarters. Alpha D'Urzy was able to fend off the public choice's bid, keeping him at bay to the 1:58 mile, around the final bend, and through the lane, winning by half a length and completing the mile and a quarter journey in 2:26 4/5. Bioness (Brian Sears) was third after a second-over trip.

“I did get lucky with this one,” trainer Rene Allard said. “He seemed to acclimate well, better than many of Australian and New Zealand horses that have come to me. He doesn’t wear much and he gets over these tracks.”

Alpha D'Urzy, an 8-year-old Opus Viervil gelding, is trained by Allard for owners Allard Racing Inc., Kapildeo Singh, Earl Hill Jr., and VIP Internet Stable LLC. This was Alpha D'Urzy's tenth career victory, and he has now earned $171,561. A 5-1 offering, Alpha D'Urzy paid $12.20 to win.

The other split saw 3-5 choice Ursis Des Caillons (Joe Bongiorno), who was making his pari-mutuel debut after two impressive qualifiers, find the point right at the 59-second half-mile marker. Ursis Des Caillons set sail from there, cruising through three-quarters in 1:30, the mile in 1:58 3/5, and the mile and a quarter in 2:26 2/5. He defeated a first-up Undici (Steve Smith) by 5 1/2 lengths, with Very Very Fast (Stratton) third after giving way to sit in the pocket behind the eventual winner at the half.

“Good manners and quick-footed,” Bongiorno said. “He opened up easily and I never took the ear plugs out.”

A 10-year-old Kool Du Caux gelding, Ursis Des Caillons is trained by Jenn Bongiorno for owners Howard Taylor and Thomas Lazzaro. Ursis Des Caillons is now a nine-time winner in his life, and he pushed his bankroll to $315,814. He returned $3.40 to win.

--quotes courtesy of Yonkers Raceway--