by Thomas Hedlund

Jean-Michel Bazire-trained Jushua Tree (Bold Eagle) was one of the most interesting horses before this year’s edition of the Prix d’Amérique in Paris. But, as it turned out, Bazire opted to save Jushua Tree from the hardest racing at that time of year. So, prior to Saturday’s (July 27) $162,500 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Enghien, the 5-year-old colt had not raced since Feb. 11.

The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere included some well-merited trotters and Jushua Tree’s lack of recent racing made him an outsider from the bettors’ part, but that didn’t stop him from winning.

Bazire found a spot far back in the field and Jushua Tree got cover three wide on the backstretch while first over trotter, and favorite, Ampia Mede Sm started to put serious pressure on leader Harlem de Bucy. Ampia Mede Sm got advantage of the race as the field turned for home and Jushua Tree attacked on the far outside for his trainer Bazire. The long homestretch at Enghien is decisive and the strongest horse often wins. Jushua Tree was strongest this day. His speed and gait proved best and Jean-Michel Bazire’s top trotter won in mile a rate of 1:56.3 over 1.7 miles.

Replay here.

SET FOR PARTY IN MALMÖ

Jägersro racetrack in Malmö, Sweden is getting ready for the big $320,000 Hugo Åbergs Memorial event on Tuesday (July 30) night and besides the main race, two division finals of the $100,000 Breeders Course will be held.

Face Time Bourbon dominates the finals with six offspring out of the 20 contenders, five of those battle in the 3-year-old colts and geldings division.

The main course, the Hugo Åbergs Memorial, looks to be a spectacular show when the draw was made. The big winner in the draw is Daniel Wäjersten’s Borups Victory. The Mats Sundin-owned 6-year-old will start from post 2 over the mile and even if there are several quick-opening trotters behind the gate, Borups Victory has a great chance of reaching the front position. Title defender Hail Mary will start from post 3 and the big loser in the draw is A Fair Day, who got post 8.

HUGO ÅBERGS MEMORIAL 2024

1,609 meters

Horse — Driver

1. Vivid Wise As — Alessandro Gocciadoro

2. Borups Victory — Daniel Wäjersten

3. Hail Mary — Björn Goop

4. Hustle Rain — Magnus A Djuse

5. Click Bait — Per Lennartsson

6. Don Fanucci Zet — Örjan Kihlström

7. Capital Mail — Antonio Di Nardo

8. A Fair Day — Oscar Ginman

9. Barack Face — Adrian Kolgjini

10. Get A Wish — Johan Untersteiner

Jägersro’s race card for Tuesday (July 30)here.