Paris (AFP)
Eighteen contenders for the world champion of harnessed trotting will fight on the demanding course of 2.700 meters, Sunday on the Vincennes racecourse in the 100th edition of the American Grand Prix, which will give rise to a nice duel between the two coaches Jean-Michel Bazire and Sébastien Guarato.
- The "Bazire" -
At 48, Jean-Michel Bazire, the 20 Sulky d'Or man, will compete for his 23rd Prix d'Amérique. He will be associated with Bélina Josselyn, the defending champion. "The mare is doing well. We have been jogging since her last victory," he told AFP.
The 9 year old mare is "flexible, awake, bounces well in the hands and has good legs". "If it takes a seat everyone will be happy," he added. His "favorite" is Davidson du Pont, 4th in "America 2019", driven by Franck Ouvrie.
"Davidson is perfect, he won in condition. He is at the top. He is a real metronome, he will not fold!" Commented "JMB" who will aim for a 3rd coronation in the race, endowed with 900,000 euros, as a coach and a fifth as a driver.
His third cartridge, Looking Superb associated with David Thomain, 2nd in the Prix d'Amérique 2019 is also "on top of his game". "He has proven that he has the level (...), he puts his heart on the track and can go very quickly downhill," he said.
- The "Guarato" -
Faced with the "Bazire" armada, the icon of Vincennes, Bold Eagle, 6th in the race in 2019 and 2nd in 2018 will be entrusted to the Vendéen Eric Raffin who has just obtained his first Golden Sulky and will aim for a first coronation in the Great Race.
Bold Eagle, "the daring Eagle", world champion in trotting 2016 and 2017 "may be in the first 5 this year because facing opposition, it will be hard for him. Now he can win you never know .. ", believes Sébastien Guarato.
His heart horse is called Face Time Bourbon, he will be co-favorite with Davidson du Pont. Only 5 years of the race, it will be entrusted to the Swedish Björn Goop, 48 years old. The pilot with the golden helmet won the event in 2018 with Readly Express.
"This is my best chance. Face Time Bourbon is easy to drive and never disappoints. He may be beaten by the best but if he races, he will be in the top three," hopes the Ménil- Bérard (Orne).
Billie de Montfort, driven by the Italian Gabriele Gelormini, 28 years old "is surprising". She just won, "it's my second best chance," said Guarato, who will also line up on the starting grid, Valko Jenilat, 11, the dean of the race who will be back. Big outsider.
- Others -
Alexandre Abrivard has just won the World Mounted Trotting Championship with Bilibili. At 26, he will try to win in the wake of "America" with Excellent, the aptly named. Impressive during his victory in the Prix Tenor de Baune, he will however have to ensure his departure, his Achilles heel.
Also pay attention to Propulsion. The best active Swedish trotter will compete in his 4th Prix d'Amérique, under the leadership of Örjan Kihlström, "the ice man", an icon in his country of origin. He experienced consecration in France with his victory at Maharajah's sulky in the Prix d'Amérique 2014. Propulsion finished 4th in 2017 - 3rd in 2018 and 5th in 2019 and can bring the crown to Sweden.
Extremely rare, a brother and a sister at the start: Delia du Pommereux and Enino du Pommereux. Delia will be entrusted to Franck Nivard, 40, the most successful driver in activity in "America" (5 wins) and renowned for his imperturbable composure. Enino will be driven by Matthieu Abrivard.
Bahia Quesnot, at the top of his game, also has a good card to play with the help of his mentor Junior Guelpa.
And to gain speed, all horses will be barefooted.
© 2020 AFP