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Review of Vincennes, Sunday 27th December 2020.
Sunday 27th December was one of the big days of the season for trotting with Vincennes hosting a high-quality meeting featuring two qualifiers for the G1 Prix d'Amérique including Qualifier 3, the G1 Critérium Continental (2100m) and Qualifier 4, the G2 International Prix Ténor de Baune (2700m). In addition, more top-level action was conducted in the shape of the G1 Mounted Prix de Vincennes (2700m) …
One of Sunday's highlights was the G1 International Critérium Continental (Prix d'Amerique Races Qualifier 3) (2100m) for four-year olds excluding geldings. As the arms of the mobile retracted, the G2 Prix Ariste Hémard (2700m) winner, Green Grass galloped and was out of the race. The runners made a formation on the first bend with Guzz Mearas adopting a pace setting role ahead of Grand Art. Notable International raider from Sweden and Vincennes G1 winner, Power was also in a prominent position in the early stages and made headway in the back straight creeping closer.
Gamble River and Always made progress as they joined the inner course down the side of the course where the eventual winner, Gu d'Héripré was still racing towards the back but commencing a run. He had three rivals behind him with 500 metres left to run, as Go On Boy took over and increased the tempo even further. Driver Franck Nivard made his big move on the final turn with a sudden rush of speed and was able to flash by the field on the outside.
Gu D'Heripre, Goldy Mary and Go On Boy were in line with 100 metres to go and the former (a Son of Coktail Jet) powered on for a one length victory securing the champion four-year-old crown and a fourth Group one.
Franck Nivard was a notable winner as it was his first Group one success since the spring of 2019 in a pronounced winning time of 1"11" for trainer Philippe Billard. The first five home also included the two Swedish contenders - Aetos Kronos and Power.
A golden hour of trotting continued with another Prix d'Amerique trial race, the G2 International Prix Ténor de Baune (Prix d'Amerique Races Qualifier 4) (2700m) for five-year olds excluding geldings. Under the floodlights (where possible) on a wet track, the field was separated by twenty lengths when passing the stands. Frisbee d'Am was leading ahead of Fakir du Lorault. The well supported, Feliciano maintained a good position in fourth, three back two wide (in the 1x2 position). The Laurant-Claude Abrivard winner Féerie Wood was settled just behind mid field in the first half of the race. Down the back straight, Fakir du Lorault made a bold move to take up the running and increased the pace. Driver Alexandre Abrivard asked his to respond as they joined the inner course and progress was beginning to show for the daughter of Rockfeller Center.
Feydeau Seven overtook the long-time leader and powered on into the home turn with Féerie Wood always looking threatening.
Feerie Wood found top gear in the final 100m stretching clear for an authoritative success to gain the five-year-old title and an entry into the G1 Grand Prix d'Amerique. She also presented Laurent-Claude Abrivard with 2000 winners as a trainer.
Jean-Michel Bazire managed to reach the podium finishing second and third with Feydeau Seven and Rebella Matters respectively making the frame.
There were more quality races on Sunday at Vincennes with the G1 Mounted Prix de Vincennes (2700m) for three-year olds geldings excluded. The event was full of drama. In the opening stages, multiple horses were tailed off and disqualified. The eventual winner Helitlopet accelerated into an early clear lead. Recent winner, Hope on Victory adopted a pace setting role briefly when passing the stands but was quickly overtaken by Héros de Fleur.
Horses were disqualified one by one down the back straight with the field tightly packed together as they approached the final 800m. Always poised in a great position behind the leaders, the Franck Leblanc trained Helitlopet opened right away from his rivals impressively delivering a hat trick in the mounted discipline under driver Adrien Lamy. This smart prospect represents a trainer who is beginning to do well in the division producing a thirteenth Group 1 win in three- and four-year old trotter races. Héra Landia ran well at big odds to finish second ahead of Hytte du Terroir.
