by Thomas Hedlund

Sunday’s (Nov. 17) $125,000 Prix de Bretagne was the first B-race before the Prix d’Amérique and the 2,700 meter event turned into a sparkling show where two brave combatants fought side by side in Vincennes’ home stretch.

Björn Goop opted for optimistic tactics behind his San Moteur and after all the mandatory changes of positions at Vincennes, Goop let Hussard du Landret pass him by and the title defender, driven by Yoann Lebourgeois, controlled the field in front with a little less than a mile to go.

San Moteur found racing room at the top of the stretch and then the battle began for real. Hussard du Landret on the inside, San Moteur on his outside and the outcome was uncertain all the way to the wire since both horses, at times, had the advantage down the stretch.

By a nose, Benoit Robin’s Hussard du Landret (Bird Parker) held San Moteur behind and the well merited French trotter is ready for another edition of the Prix d’Amérique. Hussard du Landret won in a mile rate of 1:54.4 over 1.6 miles.

Replay here.

San Moteur will join Hussard du Landret at Vincennes for the Prix D’Amérique at the end of January and behind the two top horses, Hooker Berry and Just Love You followed as third and fourth, respectively. This means that the first four trotters are set for the 2025 Prix d’Amérique.

Sébastien Guarato trained Frank Gio (Face Time Bourbon) was superior to his opponents when the 3-year-old colts met up in $125,000 Prix Pierre Plazen over 2,700 meters.

After a third over trip, driver Matthieu Abrivard attacked three-wide in Vincennes’ uphill part before he landed outside of leader Luciano Menuet and later, at the top of the stretch, disarmed the latter and sprinted to a safe win in a mile rate of 1:57.2 over 1.6 miles. Replay here.

Jean-Michel Bazire sat behind Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash—Belina Josselyn) in the $125,000 Prix Guy Deloison for 3-year-old fillies and the Nicolas Bazire trained filly impressed a lot. Jean-Michel left his position in fifth over a mile into the race and Liza Josselyn had to do the heavy work three-wide before she got within close contact of leader Lunabella d’Omaha before the last turn.

Liza Josselyn easily stepped away from her opponents and won in a mile rate of 1:58 over 1.6 miles.

Replay here.

FOGGY WINNERS IN TURIN

The racetrack in Turin had to alter the race card on Sunday (Nov. 17). Due to heavy fog, the colt division of the $220,000 Anact Stakes Plus for 2-year-olds had to be postponed to Monday (Nov. 18), but the fillies managed to reach the wire in their event and the winner Giovaz (Maharajah) took a safe win paired with Antonio Di Nardo. Giovaz took over the lead with a kilometer to go and the Gennaro Casillo trained filly was outstanding as she hit the wire in 2:00.2.

The boys’ Monday battle ended with another winner from the front position. Undefeated (five of five) Ginostrabliggi (Muscle Hill) was sent to the lead in the first turn and Gabriele Gelormini could sit quite comfortably behind Philippe Allaire’s horse and Ginostrabliggi danced away to an easy 1:59.3 win.

His older brother Callmethebreeze (Trixton), bred in Italy and owned and trained by Allaire, also had some successful moments in his native country before he showed great potential in the rest of Europe.

Saturday’s (Nov. 16) $165,000 Gran Premio Tino Triossi for 4-year-olds in Rome became a show signed by Alessandro Gocciadoro and Executiv Ek (Face Time Bourbon). Executiv Ek hit the lead in the first turn and the race was over. Gocciadoro’s trotter came home in a mile rate of 1:56.4 over 1.3 miles.