Class, very high class will be there for the third edition of the Ready Cash Prize (new formula of the former Prix de L’Etoile), contested over 2,100 meters (GP). The winner of this classic would even be considered the best 3-year-old in Europe. Very well represented, the Italian coalition could offer itself a triumph of… class. In the Pierre Plazen Prize (November 17), won in style by the transalpine Frank Giohis compatriot First of Mind has seduced more than one observer for its discovery of the Parisian cinders. After losing a lot of ground due to a mistake at the start, this other son of Face Time Bourbon made quite a comeback to rank fourth. The representative of Scuderia Comiantale completed the final thousand meters in 1’09”5 and the last five hundred meters in 1’08”1 (tracking data). Given the style of his performance, and his track record (Derby winner), the leader of the Italian 3-year-olds is ready to make a name for himself in the Land of Enlightenment. When we told his mentor, Alessandro Gocciadoro, that First of Mind will be the very likely favorite of this classic, he responds straight away: “Whether he is or not, that doesn’t interest me. The most important thing for me is that he wins. In any case, the horse is in good shape”, continues the man from Noceto, who will be on the same day near Florence for the farewells of Vivid Wise As. I worked on it Wednesday at home. He leaves this Friday for Paris. And it’s very good. Also, he likes the Vincennes track. Lately, he has made a mistake but it is not his habit. He was a little afraid to enter the starting areas, where the wheel of our sulky slightly rubbed that of another competitor.” If Gabriele Gelormini’s partner will have to take up the challenge with the 8 behind the autostart, he has “the advantage to know how to do everything. He can go in front, come from behind or turn outside if necessary.” It has the full trotter range. Frank Giohis runner-up in the Derby, is not to be outdone as evidenced, in particular, by his success in the final preparatory race. “It’s all good, confides his pilot Matthieu Abrivard, who may have found the successor of Vivid Wise As in the Bivans clan. He still has to continue his great performances. He adapts to everything and has a good temperament.” He too will have to deal with an outside number (7).
The revenge of the tricolors
In the Pierre Plazen Prize, the French lost a battle but not the war. Lombok Night (4), second of Frank Gio, is certainly a candidate for the title, even if his coach, Jean-Luc Dersoir is not the man to underestimate the opposition. “We have to face the foreigners and the game will not be easy, he tells Arnaud Lecomte. Physically, he is very good and repeats all his races. Beforehand, I would already be satisfied to see him among the top four.” Lovino Bello crowned in the Critérium des 3 Ans, will be at the start after having tested positive following his third place in the Orsi Mangelli (1is november). That day, the son of Village Mystic could not dispute the superiority of First of Mind (both in the drums and the finale). On his land, the Frenchman has the quality and the titles to take his revenge but will have to take up the challenge of lane 9. The number 1 of the females, the beautiful Liza Josselynwhich remains on two semi-classic successes, can make life difficult for the males. “There is opposition. It’ll all be a question of the course but it’s not the race of your life either.”, tempers Jean-Michel Bazire. Loulou de Mye, Luciano Minuet et Little Brown are applicants for places.
Alessandro Gocciadoro: he could be my horse for a Prix d’Amérique
First of Mind is a son of two champions, Face Time Bourbon et Peace of Mind. This is a colt who won on his competition debut. At 2 years old, he set the generation record. Then he had some problems related to growth. In the spring I took him to Sweden. And he started doing well again. He is one of the best 3-year-olds I have had at the stable. You know, when you win the Derby at home, it means you have the best of the generation. I even think that to this day, there is no better 3 year old in Europe. I saw winning Frank Gio or else Lovino Bello which are great horses, but I believe that First of Mind has a little something extra. At home he trains with Executive Ek (Face Time Bourbon), who will run the Critérium le Continental. He’s a year younger but he does exactly the same job. He will continue to progress. One day he could be my horse for a Prix d’Amérique.”
