What better way to heat up the atmosphere on the occasion of the most anticipated weekend by trotting enthusiasts in France, and even beyond? For the second year in a row, two groups I considerably strengthen the Saturday line-up, also including the traditional Prix du Luxembourg as well as two preparatory semi-classics for the Critérium des Jeunes.
If the Bold Eagle Prize, chosen as support for the quinté, has something to appeal to purists, this Ourasi Prize promises to be even more captivating. It presents itself as a new clash with an undecided outcome between the French and Italian elites of the 2021 class, a few weeks after a fiercely contested Ready Cash Prize. However, the data changes completely compared to December 8: this time it will be a holding exercise and the participants have been, since December 1is January, authorized to occur unshod. The succession ofIzoard Védaquais (faller ofIdao de Tillard et callmethebreeze), Just Love You et Krack Time Asset is open.
The extension of the distance will not disrupt in any way Lovino Bello, hero of the Critérium des 3 Ans 2024 on the 2,700 meters of the big track. Even if he has not raced since his second coronation at the highest level, Jocelyn Robert’s protégé worked once at Vincennes with a view to this new objective. Lombok Night is ready to support its leader to defend our tricolor flag. “My foal will appear in great shape, assures Jean-Luc Dersoir. I kept the four-foot shoe removal card for this group I, but I notice strong opposition. While aiming for the first places, he could finish fourth having run very well…”
Intuitively, we tend to think that the register of the outfit will favor the blues. The two transalpine headliners, however, Face Time Bourbon for sire… Holder of five successes in six attempts on this course, Frank Gio will set off with the full confidence of Sébastien Guarato. “Perfect in training, he has his place on the podium”assured the Bordelais to Arnaud Lecomte.
A conquering Derby winner
Mathematically, First of Mind is superior to his inbred brother, to the extent that he had dominated him regularly in the Italian Derby by remaining shod, unlike Frank Gio (“D4”). Faulty at the starting post which interests us (“due to difficulty in flying”had clarified a member of his entourage directly) during his first attempt in France, on November 17, the son of the excellent Peace of Mind had achieved an incredible comeback to finish fourth in a devastating action. Certainly one of the most striking visual impressions of the meeting, corroborated by the tracking data: final kilometer in 1’09”5, last 500 meters on the pace of 1’08”1. Alessandro Gocciadoro, who is lining up his great hope barefoot for only the second time, told Michel Burgio: “I judge him 100% and competitive for the victory. He could be my Prix d’Amérique horse in the future.”
-Potential troublemakers
This magical quartet cannot overshadow the presence of several other esteemed and ambitious 4-year-olds for the best places, or even better. “Very sharp and unshod for the first time”says Mathieu Mottier, the seductive London belongs to this list along with Luciano Menuet having just had bad luck, Loulou de Mye, dolphin Lombok Night in the 2024 Albert Viel Prize (among other choice performances), or Lemon Tree (“It’s a great generation but he has the level”estimates William Bigeon).
If they will not succeed in forgetting the absence of the pearl Liza Josselyn, suspended as a precautionary measure due to a positive test (contamination) at the start of the meeting, Lucky Jackson et Lapis Lazuli, two other products of Ready Cash depending on the training of Bazire father and son, could overtake more than one in the straight, after having wisely waited. Largo de Castelle et Light My Fire have just performed well in the Prix Charles Tiercelin.
The number: 14
This is a record at Group I level since the introduction of emojis by Le Trot. Fourteen of the fifteen participants were declared green, only Light My Fire being an exception.
