Jean-Michel Bazire, winner of the 2019 Grand Prix d'Amérique. - Michel Euler / AP / Sipa

  • Sunday on the track of the Vincennes racecourse, the Grand Prix d'Amérique celebrates its centenary.
  • The games are open to succeed Jean-Michel Bazire and "Belina Josselyn".
  • Laurent Bruneteau, speaker star of the Vincennes racecourse and privileged observer, gives us his favorites as well as a bet.

18 stars on the very American circuit of Vincennes. For the centenary of the legendary American Grand Prix, the best drivers of the 2019 harnessed trot season will set off on Sunday, January 26, on the 2,700 meters that separate them from victory. And the least we can say is that the cast of this anniversary edition is raised. Laurent Bruneteau, speaker star of the Vincennes racecourse and privileged observer, gives us his favorites as well as a bet.

This year, several horses arrive at the same time at their best. But if the race seems very open, three favorites still emerge for Laurent Bruneteau. “The main favorite is Belina Josselyn , the defending champion. "The mare trained by Jean-Michel Bazire, big star of harnessed trotting, has struggled to get into the right tempo this year, but seems to regain his qualities at the best time:" She won the grand prix of brilliantly Belgium, the last qualifying race for the American Grand Prix. I feel she can afford the double after her victory in 2019, ”says the commentator.

The return of "Bold Eagle"?

The nine-year-old mare could therefore join the Bold Eagle list, the only double horse winner of the event still in activity. This one, in spite of his age, 9 years old also, is presented at his Fifth American Grand Prix. Winner in 2015 and 2017, second in 2018 and sixth in 2019, " Bold Eagle is less efficient than at its peak, but for me it is still among the favorites this year," says the observer. Other important information, it will be driven by Eric Raffin, who has just won the golden sulky after twenty years of domination by Jean-Michel Bazire. “He will be the richest horse in the race and could even overtake the horse with the most money in racing in the history of trotting. "

Jean-Michel Bazire is strong by presenting a second horse from his stable, Davidson du Pont . The 7 year old horse is currently in the form of his life, "he won the Brittany Grand Prix, the first qualifying race of the 2019 season and he remains on a very good performance at the Belgian Grand Prix. It will be necessary to count on him for the final victory. The only question is the identity of its driver. Franck Ouvrie, who usually directs it "could give way to Jean-Michel Bazire, who will have to choose his horse for the race".

"Facetime Bourbon" in ambush

But the 2020 Grand Prix d'Amérique will not be limited to a duel between the two giants of harnessed trotting. "I can see Facetime Bourbon winning the victory," smiles Laurent Bruneteau, "He's a young kid with a lot of talent. He won the Critérium continental, a very important race, and has had good results. "This 5-year-old horse, piloted by Swedish trotting star Björn Goup, ran 21 races and won 18." It's exceptional! He is the big rising value and his talent could make up for his lack of experience. "

Our American Grand Prix dossier

Besides these four favorites, Laurent Bruneteau puts a small piece on a challenger, Excellent . "He too is a young talent who is rising, he only comes in sixth or seventh position among punters, but I think he can create a surprise. He has the profile to win! Excellent, a name he will have to deserve this Sunday, January 26 if he wants to thwart the predictions and win his first big trophy.

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