by Thomas Hedlund

European bred 4-year-olds will meet on the black track of Vincennes over the distance 2,100 meters in $470,000 Grand Prix de l’U.E.T. tonight (Oct. 16).

Qualifications at Solvalla and Vincennes have resulted in a field of 12 well-merited trotters that chase the big trophy in Paris and it looks like phenomenon Ecurie D. (Infinitif), trained in Norway by Frode Hamre, will be the favorite in the race.

But there are several tough opponents that came to Paris with impressive resumes and, basically, the best 4-year-olds in Europe are there.

Two other Group 1 races are scheduled on tonight’s card in Paris. The $117,500 European Championships for 3-, and 5-year-olds will be held and French star Helgafell (Charly du Noyer) will face 11 opponents in the race for 3-year-olds.

Only nine trotters will be gathered behind the car in the 5-year-old race and it’s an open story with Philippe Allaire’s Feliciano (Ready Cash) the most merited horse ahead of the race since champion Face Time Bourbon (Ready Cash) will be aimed for Italy and $775,000 Gran Premio della Lotteria in Naples on Oct. 25.

Face Time Bourbon is obviously the great name for all European tracks on the Grand Circuit calendar for 2021, but it seems like Sébastien Guarato and the owners now have decided that Elitloppet will be held without the greatest trotter in Europe next year. It’s too early to tell if this will be the truth when May arrives, but according to the horse’s entourage, Face Time Bourbon will have problems combining his stud work with racing during the spring of 2021.

$470,000 Grand Prix de l’U.E.T.

Horse (Sire) – Trainer

Power (Googoo Gaagaa) – Robert Bergh
Gu d’Heripre (Coktail Jet) – Philippe Billard
Gotland (Ready Cash) – Philippe Allaire
Aetos Kronos (Bold Eagle) – Jerry Riordan
Ecurie D. (Infinitif) – Frode Hamre
Gallant Way (Ready Cash) – Philippe Allaire
Golden Bridge (Ready Cash) – Philippe Allaire
Green Grass (Bold Eagle) – Sébastien Guarato
Guzz Mearas (Muscle Mass) – Johan Untersteiner
Ubiquarian Face (Joke Face) – Adrian Kolgjini
Ultion Face (Joke Face) – Adrian Kolgjini
Goulette (Up And Quick) – Philippe Billard