What a rush in the mind of Jean-Philippe Izzo when reacting to the victory of his protégé Jezabelle Bie (Dijon). This filly that he bred, complicated to qualify, trained by his son Mike, himself a close friend of Paul Ploquin the jockey, another architect of the mare’s construction, has just won a Group I race, the Prix Bilibili Cornulier Breeds Q2. An extraordinary feeling like that of accomplishment with one’s own.
Lightened for the first time, Jezabelle Bie signs the new record for the young race (third edition) by trotting 1’11”7 over the 2,700 meters of the Grande Piste, two tenths of the record for a 5 year old on this route. A Cornulier Prize chrono for which Jezabelle Bie is automatically qualified. But, because there is a but: nothing is less certain about his participation. Mike Izzo explained on the podium: “Paul will be held on the back of Idéale du Chêne, so I’m not sure I’ll run.”
Eric Raffin’s regrets
Jasmine De Vau (Seduisant Fouteau) creates a sensation by climbing onto the podium while Joumba De Guez (Carat Williams) once again arrives at the highest level. Nevertheless, Éric Raffin, his jockey, expressed regrets after the race: “We didn’t get off to a good start, losing a good length when we left the snowshoes. Instead of being behind June’s back, I’m behind Jus De Fruit’s back. It costs me the race in my opinion.”
As for Jeroboam D’erable (Prodigious), he was quickly disqualified, not seeming flexible. David Thomain told us: “We are worried and can’t wait to see the doctor tomorrow.”
