Readly Express ready for Prix d’Amerique
by Thomas Hedlund
Swedish star Readly Express (Ready Cash) came to Paris during Christmas and did not disappoint his trainer Timo Nurmos. The 5-year-old played with his opponents in Prix Tenor de Baune. His victory earned him an automatic berth in the prestigious Prix d’Amérique.
Björn Goop drove Readly Cash, who came to the race in Paris with 19 wins in 22 attempts in his career. Goop did not make any mistakes on the big track at Vincennes. Early in the race, Readly Express was testing the front and after a half-mile of the 1.6-mile race, Goop put the Swedish star on the lead.
It was the second start in Paris for Readly Express, who previously won the Grand Prix de l’U.E.T. for the 4-year-olds at the smaller track at Vincennes. His victory in the Prix Tenor de Baune shows he can managed the 2 km long track without any difficulty.
The victory in 1:57.2 (mile rate) was easy and the son of Ready Cash had a lot of power when he crossed the finish line, three lengths ahead of Jerry Riordan-trained Treasure Kronos, who was served a trip behind the winner. Third place was taken by Charly du Noyer.
Yonkers International winner Twister Bi had a tough trip three wide the last kilometre and fought well to be the fifth horse to finish.
Mare Doria Desbois wins Criterium Continental
In Criterium Continental for the 4-year-olds, Matthieu Abrivard won with Christophe Feyte-trained Doria Desbois (In Love With You) after a strong finish from fourth over in 1:53.4 (mile rate) over the distance of 1.3 miles. Doria Desbois was an upset winner of this race and the 4-year-old mare got her ticket for Prix d’Amérique and she will most certainly participate in the big race in January.
Horses qualified for Prix d’Amérique 2018:
From the Prix de Bretagne: Valko Jenilat, Billie de Montfort, Charly du Noyer
From the Prix du Bourbonnais: Bird Parker, Bold Eagle, Ringostarr Treb
From the Prix Tenor de Baune: Readly Express
From the Criterium Continental: Doria Desbois
Prix de Bourgogne set for Sunday
The next “B-race” in Paris is on Sunday (Dec. 31), when the $142,000 Prix de Bourgogne is held. The conditions are different from the three other qualification races. The race will be contested at 2,100 meters and will start from behind the gate. The horses with the most money on their accounts start from post 1 to 9.
Prix de Bourgogne
Horse-Driver
1. Lionel-Göran Antonsen
2. Belina Josselyn-Jean-Michel Bazire
3. Akim du Cap Vert-Franck Anne
4. Voltigeur de Myrt-Lorenzo Donati
5. Anna Mix-Pierre Vercruysse
6. Propulsion-Örjan Kihlström
7. Bold Eagle-Franck Nivard
8. Bird Parker-Jean-Philippe Monclin
9. Billie de Montfort-David Thomain
10. Booster Winner-Mathieu Mottier
11. Best of Jets-Tony le Beller
12. Ringostarr Treb-Gabriele Gelormini
13. Amiral Sacha-Eric Raffin
14. Day Or Night In-Johan Untersteiner
15. Briac Dark-Matthieu Abrivard
16. Val Royal- Frédéric Darondel
17. Uza Josselyn-Alexandre Abrivard
