by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Caen, France — It took only one race to determine that day two of the 2013 World Driving Championship would be better for the United States representative, Jason Bartlett, who finished a strong second in the first of four heats raced at the 1-1/4 mile track located only a few furlongs from the Normandy beaches so pivotal to winning World War II.

USTA/John Pawlak photo

Jason Bartlett found a good interpreter, Jean-Benoit Lemoine, who at one time worked for Jimmy Takter. Lemoine spoke for trainer Dominique Cheradame before Bartlett finished second in Monday’s first heat.

Winning the World Driving Championship “War” relies on consistency, and Bartlett, who had three of his first round mounts disqualified for making extended breaks, earned 14 points to raise his points total to 38 and close the gap between himself and France’s Pierre Vercruysse from 53 to 48 after the Frenchman finished fourth.

The effort did not come without anxious moments. Bartlett’s mount, Valto Des Landiers, was held just off the gate while scoring from the rail, according to the trainer’s instructions, but found road trouble on the final turn when a horse driven by Sweden’s Bjorn Goop broke stride in front of Bartlett, meaning an abrupt change in plans. Bartlett had to move outside to avoid the breaker, but his own horse put in a couple of steps — but not enough to be disqualified.

“He was rough on the last turn,” Bartlett said. “I had to get out, despite my trainer’s instructions to keep him inside. I thought the judges had called my number (disqualifying Bartlett’s horse), but we went on and finished strong.”

Bartlett’s mount prevailed after a photo for place and his mission to close ground on the leader was on track.

Unfortunately, the result of the second heat was far less satisfactory. Racing strongly, three-wide and third-up on the final turn, Bartlett’s mount broke stride and was disqualified. Vercruysse went on to win for the third time in the Championship and gained back the five points he had lost to Bartlett one race earlier.

In the third division Bartlett’s mount, who had won three of his past six, chose today to not be interested in doing work, fell back early and was disqualified for making a break at the top of the long Caen stretch in a race won by Finland’s Mike Forss. Vercruysse finished a well-beaten seventh but remained comfortably atop the WDC standings.

Bartlett’s day is over; he did not draw a mount for the fourth and final division, and will earn six points as a result.

After two legs, the 2013 World Driving Championship point totals are as follows:

1. Pierre Vercruysse-France-115
2. Björn Goop-Sweden-75
3. Antonio Frontera Pocovi-Spain-72
4. Eirik Hoitomt-Norway-72
5. Mika Forss-Finland-69
6. Enrico Bellei-Italy-66
7. Gerhard Mayr-Austria-60
8. David Butcher-New Zealand-50
9. Jason Bartlett-USA-46
10. Neil Day-Australia-46
11. Trevor Henry-Canada-37
12. Rene Kjær-Denmark-36

Tuesday is a day off for the drivers; they will next travel to Angers, France for round three on Wednesday afternoon.