Face Time Bourbon, trained by Sebastian Guarato and with Björn Goop in the bike, turned in quite a performance at Vincennes Saturday afternoon (Sept. 12) in winning the Group 1 Prix de l’Etoile raced over 1-3/8 miles with standing start, in a new world record of 1.51.3 (mile rate). The time is also a track record at Vincennes.

Face Time Bourbon with Björn Goop in the bike set a new world record in winning the Group 1 Prix de l’Etoile at Vincennes. Gerard Forni Photo.

Time Bourbon was an easy winner – and looked as he could have gone faster.

In the Prix de l’Etoile, 3-year-old trotters have an advantage of 50 meters starting at 2,150 meters, while 4- and 5-year-old trotters race from the 2,200 meter mark (1-3/8 mile).

With half a mile to go, Goop directed 5- year old Face Tome Bourbon to the front and controlled the race from there. None of his competitors were obody was able to attack Face Time Bourbon and Goop let him go the last 100 yards to win by five lengths.  He was followed by Frisbee d’Am and Fakir du Lorault, both were timed in 1.52.1 (mile rate), which also is faster than the old record of 1.53 (mile rate).

The purse for the winner was 76.500 Euros or $90,600 dollars.