Surprise potential in Sunday’s Prix du Bourbonnais as big guns drop out
by Thomas Hedlund
The second “B-race” on the road to the Prix d’Amérique — the $125,000 Prix du Bourbonnais — goes to post Sunday (Dec. 7) at Vincennes, and the field looks noticeably thinner than in the season-opening Prix de Bretagne. The biggest absence, of course, is Idao de Tillard, the two-time Prix d’Amérique champion who was scheduled to launch his winter campaign here. Instead, the Sévérino son underwent emergency colic surgery two weeks ago, ending his winter season before it began.
Jushua Tree is also missing, and Go On Boy remains sidelined and still hunting race shape after trainer Romain Derieux served a three-month suspension for a doping violation.
All of this opens the door for what could be a wild, upset-friendly edition of the Bourbonnais — and with four automatic Prix d’Amérique tickets on the line across the B-races, this is the moment for the outsiders to step forward. Among the entrants, Sweden’s Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) is the most accomplished trotter in the field, and he’s already locked into the Prix d’Amérique thanks to his third-place finish in the Prix de Bretagne.
The Bretagne winner Josh Power (Offshore Dream) returns as well, along with the surprise fourth-place finisher J’Aime le Foot (Boccador de Simm). There is also transatlantic flavor: Crown (Chapter Seven), from Daniel Redén’s barn, returns to Vincennes after racing here last winter. The 2,850-meter distance is most probably no obstacle for a strong performance on his part.
PRIX DU BOURBONNAIS — ENTRIES (AS OF WEDNESDAY EVENING)
Horse (sire) — Trainer
Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) — Daniel Wäjersten
Hirondelle du Rib (Rolling d’Heripre) — Joël Hallais
Izoard Vedaquais (Bird Parker) — Philippe Allaire
Inmarosa (Amiral Sacha) — Laurent-Claude Abrivard
Hokkaido Jiel (Brillantissime) — Jean-Luc Dersoir
Just Love You (Love You) — Laurent-Claude Abrivard
Jean Balthazar (Alto de Viette) — Pascal Castel
Josh Power (Offshore Dream) — Sébastien Ernault
Krack Time Atout (Face Time Bourbon) — Sébastien Guarato
It’s A Dollarmaker (Saxo de Vandel) — Sébastien Guarato
Justin Bold (Bold Eagle) — Jean-Rémi Delliaux
Keep Going (Follow You) — Mathieu Mottier
Jabalpur (Booster Winner) — Alain Chavatte
Crown (Chapter Seven) — Daniel Redén
J’Aime le Foot (Boccador de Simm) — Antoine Lherete
Jazzman Debailleul (Repeat Love) — Erno Szirmay
Immortal Doc (Brillantissime) — Fredrik Wallin
Harmony du Rabutin (Royal Dream) — Guillaume Richard Huguet
ROAD TO PRIX D’AMÉRIQUE — QUALIFIERS AND STANDINGS
Qualified so far (after Prix de Bretagne)
BAZIRE DOUBLE IN THE $165,000 GRAND NATIONAL DU TROT FINAL
The Bazire family swept the Grand National du Trot final at Vincennes on Sunday (Nov. 30), with Nicolas Bazire mowing down his father Jean-Michel in the final strides. Nicolas guided Jingle du Pont (Niky) perfectly from second-over, launching at the top of the stretch and reeling in Hubble du Vivier (Vulcain du Vivier) inside the final 100 meters. Winner Jingle du Pont won in a mile rate of 1:56.2 over 2,850 meters while Hubble du Vivier noted 1:55.3 from a 25 meter handicap.
Jingle du Pont has been a major force all season, with earlier wins in the GNT leg at Laval ($90,000) and the Prix du Parc des Princes ($75,000) at Enghien. He also owns a winter-meeting win from earlier this year in the Prix de Vic sur Cere ($71,000).
FAME AND GLORY RETURNS A WINNER
Timo Nurmos’ five-year-old Fame And Glory (Tactical Landing) made a successful comeback on Saturday (Nov. 29) at Vincennes, capturing the $125,000 Prix Doynel de Saint-Quentin in his first start in 427 days.
Driven by Björn Goop, Fame And Glory took early command before yielding to Koctel du Dain after 850 meters. The pair sat patiently in the pocket until the heavy favorite broke stride coming out of the final turn. That opened the door for Fame And Glory, but he still had a serious challenger to deal with. Immortal Doc, who raced uncovered virtually the entire way, ranged up strongly in the stretch. Fame And Glory, however, fought resolutely and held clear to win in a mile rate of 1:56.4 for 2,850 meters.
The Tactical Landing son was one of Sweden’s top colts at 3, winning both the Svenskt Travkriterium and Svenskt Travderby.
Next up is the $240,000 Prix Tenor de Baune at Vincennes on Dec. 21, where a ticket to the Prix d’Amérique will be on the line.
