Since the beginning of the 2000s, the conditions of the first of the four “B”s – putting the elite trotters into orbit with a view to the Prix d’Amérique – have been adjusted several times (removal of the distance performance, classification by points , then direct qualification). The stated objective is to encourage as many people as possible to play the game to the fullest. This winter, not three, but four tickets for the last Sunday in January will be issued, so that fifteen of the eighteen contenders will set off with solid pretensions, as evidenced by the declared horseshoes as well as the words of the professionals within our quinté notebook.
Everyone’s ambitions will be increased tenfold by the temporary absences of three potential stars of winter 2024 – 2025: Go On Boy, Idao de Tillard et Jushua Treewhose paths will cross later. Faller of the last named at group I level two months ago, Josh Power seems able to put his name on the list at the age of 5, as has previously been achieved Insert Large (2001), Uhlan du Val (2013), Akim from Cape Verde (2015), Davidson du Pont (2018) et Hip Hop Haufor (2022) in the 21st century. After a reappearance as wise as it is encouraging, the uterine brother of… Go On Boy will appear barefoot and equipped with blinders. “He has reached a milestone recently”assures his mentor, Sébastien Ernault. Inevitably frustrated by the injuryHorsy Dream this fall, Éric Raffin found himself associated for several weeks with a trotter called to make him vibrate.
Cornelian choices
The members of the elite trotters of French age fought against each other throughout the year on different routes, Parisian and provincial. It seems inevitable to bring out the famous truism of the horse racing microcosm: “The race scenario will determine the order of finish”in a luxury quinté fascinating to study, which encourages prognosticators, then pundits, to decide straight away. Even if it means daring to ignore one or more champions who once amazed them.
Dean of the platoon, Emeraude Bais doesn’t look her age at all, even seeming more impactful than ever. Suffering, the Swede San Motor will find the soil of Vincennes suiting him perfectly. “It seems to me to be in the same shape as last year.”, judge Björn Goop, who led him to success in the 2023 Prix du Bourbonnais. When he is patient in a fast-paced race, Hooker Berry remains capable of getting everyone to agree at the cost of a hair-raising sprint, especially on the main track courses. Second asset of Team Bazire, Ganay de Banville will also set off with the confidence of JMB, after having “regained freshness”.
According to Jean-Luc Dersoir, we should expect to see Hokkaido Jiel increase in power. “I have intensified his exercises and this time he will be barefoot on all four feet.“Experienced in this type of tough battle, the Italian Ampia Mede Sm has the means to qualify. One of the tenors of his promotion, Krack Time Asset will try to become the third 4-year-old to reach the podium of the Prix de Bretagne in the modern era, after Akim from Cape Verde (2014) et True Italian (2022). Very pleasant in Nantes, Ideal Ligneries embodies a particularly amusing outsider.
Just Love You, Banderas Bi, Inmarosa, Just A Gigolo (wise at the start?) and Don Fanucci Zet will not rush forward as expiatory victims. There remains the case of the brilliant title holder, Hussar of Landretwho is seriously slow to regain his sensations, but will present himself this time in competition mode. “It looks very good to me. I hope he will rehabilitate”confides Benoît Robin.
