by Thomas Hedlund

Some of the best 5-year-old European bred trotters showed up when the $125,000 Prix de Croix was on the card at Vincennes on Saturday (Jan. 13) afternoon. Sabine Kagebrant’s Chapter Seven mare Joviality was the most merited horse in the race, but the heavy favorite was Jean-Michel Bazire’s Jushua Tree (Bold Eagle), who was served a trip in fourth over, with Joviality on his back.

Justin Bold was sent to the lead and driver Yoann Lebourgeois held a good pace, not letting the tough challengers push for the front position.

Franck Nivard had to make a move with Just A Gigolo on the back stretch, in the uphill part of the track and soon thereafter, Bazire followed three wide behind attacking J’Aime Le Foot. When J’Aime Le Foot made a break before the last turn, Jushua Tree had to be pushed a little bit more to make contact with the leading duo. Joviality was served a perfect trip by Benjamin Rochard. Rochard got cover from Jushua Tree on the back stretch and when the field turned for home, it seemed like Joviality could challenge new leader Jushua Tree for real. But that was an illusion. Jushua Tree is a top trotter, probably one of the best horses in the world at this moment, so being a runner up behind him at Vincennes is quite like a victory for Joviality.

Jushua Tree won the Prix de Croix in a mile rate of 1:56.4 over 1.7 miles, Joviality came home in 1:57.

Bazire has announced that he will not enter the Prix d’Amérique this year with Jushua Tree, even if the horses qualified for the race via the great win in the Criterium Continental on Dec. 24.

Joviality will most probably start in the Prix Bold Eagle on Jan. 28.

FLOREAL BEST IN CAGNES

Floreal (Up And Quick) proved best when the $125,000 Prix de la Cote d’Azur was held in Cagnes-sur-Mer on Thursday (Jan. 11) afternoon.

Floreal, driven by Robin Bouvier, was pushed to the lead with a lap to go in the 2,925 meters long race, but the 9-year-old gelding had to turn the front position over to Ideal du Rocher with 600 meters to go.

From the pocket, Floreal quite easily disarmed leader Ideal du Rocher and claimed the victory in a mile rate of 1:57.3 over 1.8 miles.