Stars gather at Enghien for Critérium preps

by Thomas Hedlund

Today’s (Aug. 14) Vincennes card, which will be held at Enghien, has the potential to be something special.

Very few of the leading 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds in France are missing as the first round of major preps for the Critérium des 3 Ans, Critérium des 4 Ans, and Critérium des 5 Ans, all scheduled for September at Vincennes, gets underway.

The leader of this year’s French 3-year-old crop is, so far, a filly.

Nocive du Choquel (Face Time Bourbon), trained by Nicolas Bridault, returns to action in the $125,000 Prix Reine du Corta, where she has drawn post 6 behind the gate.

It has been nearly two months since Nocive du Choquel last raced, when she captured the $220,000 Prix Albert Viel at Vincennes in a 1:55.2 mile rate for 2,700 meters. Friday marks the first step toward the Critérium des 3 Ans at Vincennes on Sept. 12.

The 3-year-old colts will meet in the $125,000 Prix Abel Bassigny, which attracted only eight starters. The Ready Cash sons Nuevo Cash and Nat King Cole are among the most accomplished horses in the field.

Among the 4-year-old fillies, Philippe Allaire’s Magic Night (Helgafell) has ranked among the leaders of her generation, but her recent results have been anything but encouraging. Three consecutive disqualifications can be erased with a strong performance in the $125,000 Prix Paul Leguerney.

The 4-year-old colts will clash in the $125,000 Prix Phaeton, where Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon), Maitre Jacques (Rolling d’Heripre), and Maestro Vrie (Village Mystic) are among the major names.

Then come the 5-year-olds — and that may be the deepest race of the day.

The $125,000 Prix Louis Jariel, an open event over 2,150 meters, has assembled a field loaded with horses expected to return for the $330,000 Critérium des 5 Ans on Sept. 12.

Monté specialist Lionheart (Falcao de Laurma) will switch back to the sulky and face stablemate Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash), who returns following a four-month layoff.

Lancier du Goutier (Ready Cash), Lombok Jiel (Enino du Pommereux), and Lovino Bello (Village Mystic) are also among the major players behind the gate. In all likelihood, today’s race will provide an excellent preview of the Critérium des 5 Ans.

FRANCESCO ZET HEADLINES ÅBY STORA PRIS

The older trotting elite will gather at Åby on Saturday (Aug. 15) for the $300,000 Åby Stora Pris, one of Sweden’s premier staying events. A field of 12 will go three laps around Åby’s 1,000-meter oval in the 3,140-meter test.

Francesco Zet (Father Patrick) figures to be among the favorites for trainer Daniel Redén, who will send out a powerful three-horse contingent.

Joining him will be Epic Kronos (Muscle Hill), third in this year’s Prix d’Amérique, and Kentucky River (Father Patrick), winner of last year’s Oslo Grand Prix.

$300,000 ÅBY STORA PRIS, 3,140 METERS

Macahan (Dwight Pieters)

Petho (Erlend Rennesvik)

Indy Rock (Mats E. Djuse)

High On Pepper (Rikard N. Skoglund)

Ibiki de Houelle (Alexis Collette)

Get A Wish (Carl Johan Jepson)

Epic Kronos (Björn Goop)

Phantom Express (Ulf Ohlsson)

Francesco Zet (Örjan Kihlström)

Charron (Magnus Teien Gundersen)

Kentucky River (Magnus A. Djuse)

Powwow (Lars Anvar Kolle)