David Békaert, maximum pleasure

Vincennes on Thursday, Cagnes on Friday, Vincennes again on Saturday, Marseille-Vivaux on Sunday and Lyon-La Soie on Monday, David Békaert’s program has been very busy in recent days. It is at this price that the number 1 driver in the South-East rose among the best in France, landing a fourth place in the Sulky d’Or 2024, with 175 successes over the past season, his record. This Sunday, a few minutes before the start of the Prix de Cornulier, “BK” gave us some of his time to talk about the special week ahead. Special, because David, like his father Philippe Békaert in his time, will take part in his first Prix d’Amérique – Legend Race, on the sulky of Fakir de MaheySunday on the Parisian ashes. Like all racing socio-professionals, many memories of this legendary event rise in the head of our interlocutor. “I knew that Mathieu (Mottier) was looking for a driver for Fakir de Mahey but I was far from thinking that he would ask me. It’s a childhood dream to be able to participate in such a race. My first memory dates back to 1990 and the last victory ofOurasi. I was 5 years old but this race remained engraved in my memory. The era I de Bellouet had a big impact on me too. It seemed like he was unbeatable. All that to say that it’s all well and good to have a lot of winners, but running a Prix d’Amérique is something else. I see it as a reward for my last five or six good years. This will allow me to gain experience and, I hope, to have maximum pleasure.” explains the young forty-year-old (he celebrated his birthday on January 13). Qualified for the “beautiful” by taking fourth place in the Prix du Bourbonnais – America Races Q2, Fakir de Mahey will not be one of the favorites but his driver thinks that the race configuration could serve his interests. “We don’t have a first chance but “Fakir” is a train horse. And there will be trains! I suspect that it will be difficult to turn around and take the lead, but the horse has already run well coming from behind. I remember the Jean-Luc Lagardère Prize at Enghien, where he was a good second Jushua Treerunning hidden. We will try not to make a false start, not to bother anyone and for the horse to come in well, while trying to take the best possible allocation.”

A successful start to the Cagnes meeting

Victorious Friday in Cagnes with his resident Mara Best then Saturday with In spite of Pierji in the Prix de Brest (Gr III) at Vincennes, the southern driver signed a double this Sunday in Marseille and is finding form at the right time, after a timid start to the year. “With a victory in the first half of January, we were on tiptoe. The success ofIn spite of Pierji Saturday gave me great pleasure and a lot of moral good. It seems to be getting back on track and I’m going to come back to Vincennes, with a zero gap (laughs).” he confides, while admitting that he does not put pressure on himself to beat his winning record each year. While waiting for the big race on Sunday, the news from “BK” passes through Cagnes this Wednesday, where he will be on the track seven times (read elsewhere). Second in the drivers’ ranking, behind the essential Romain Derieux, with eight successes since the start of the meeting, the results are more than positive. “Damien Bonne and Benoit Robin entrusted me Image du Home et Mara Best in training, who won twice each. These are good elements who will be required to race their respective Cups. I also had the chance to be associated with Vallon Jasmine et Lord of Loiron (he will meet him again on Wednesday), for training with Jean-Rémi Delliaux, who left a funny impression on me. It’s never easy to shine at Cagnes but for the moment, I have nothing to complain about, things are going pretty well. Hopefully it lasts!”

Go On Boy will be my favorite

“My favorite from the Prix d’Amérique will be Go On Boy. I find that he is the one who arrives in the best shape for the big deadline. Already last year, the horse had bad luck and would have deserved better than a fourth place. Removing the shoe improves it a lot and Romain (Derieux) only does it wisely. The last time he was presented without his irons, in the UET Final, he had gone aroundIdao de Tillardin third layer, almost laughing. Even if “Idao” took his revenge in the Prix de Bourgogne, he had a great run behind his opponent’s back. Moreover, Go On Boy came back and was shod that day. He was running first. Being happier could have done it last year. This might be his year.”

Also read about the Prix d’Amérique Legend Race 2025

His starters for Wednesday at Cagnes

In the quinté, Gold Dairpet (411) has a regular chance. Coming back to a flat track should suit him. The field is well composed and we will need the right route. I know that Eric Prudhon is confident with Moran (103)who ran well twice in Marseille and faces a homogeneous field. Barefoot, King Saltor (212) can be a fun move, especially as he remains on a good performance with his trainer. The Cashmaker (303) was beaten at the time of his mistake last time. We would have finished second. Maybe I’ll come from behind this time. We have to take it back. Illustrious Ferm (506) was prepared for this commitment but he made gains and his tasks became a little more complicated. I see myself taking a place. Lord of Loiron (606) is a very good foal. You have to be wary of the unshod but he has the means to confirm. For my training, Majyc game (702) faces a good field. He follows all the trains but has difficulty overtaking the others in the end. We sign for a place.