by Darryl Kaplan, Standardbred Canada

Mauquenchy, France — On Thursday (June 13), in Mauquenchy, France, Pierre Vercruysse locked up victory for the home team, guaranteeing himself enough points to win the World Driving Championship for France.

“It’s a great challenge,” said Vercruysse. “It looks easy but everybody really wants to win it. You have to stay concentrated.

“It’s a shame that Trevor (Henry) had such a tough go. I hope for him that he will come back. All the other drivers are good. What makes an advantage for me and Bjorn (Goop) of Sweden is that we are used to French horses. They are very different gaited.”

The day did prove to be better for both Jason Bartlett of the United States and Trevor Henry of Canada.

Darryl Kaplan photo

Jason Bartlett is all smiles in the winner’s circle after his victory with Val des Malberaux.

Bartlett picked up his second victory of the 20-race, week-long competition when he guided Val des Malberaux to a wire-to-wire score in the day’s third race, while Henry grabbed a runner-up finish in the last race of the day.

“The trainer said to keep him as calm as you can because he gets all wound up,” said Bartlett. “Everything worked out exactly how we wanted it to. I warmed him up away from horses, turned him to the gate and let him get out of there easily. We just floated to the front and he was two fingers the whole time. He was getting a little tired in the stretch, but we managed to hold on.”

Bartlett also picked up a second place finish in the fifth race with Unika Sereda.

Bartlett and Henry once again drove several long priced horses on the afternoon, some of which hadn’t had a flat raceline in several weeks.

In the afternoon’s final dash, however, driving 5-year-old Un Eclat de l’Ante, Henry left quickly off the starting gate and rushed to a hard fought lead. He held the front for most of the 2150 meter race, before being caught in the final strides by Spain’s Antonio Frontera Pocovi.

“The trainer told me to go to the front,” said Henry. “We got a breather and then they came at me in the backstretch. I could see him (Frontera Pocovi) coming way on the outside. I tried to get my horse to the wire, but we just got beat.

“It makes a big difference to get a decent horse,” added Henry. “It feels good to have power. It’s really tough getting so many horses that can’t do anything.”

The other races on the day were won by Rene Kjaer of Denmark, Vercruysse and Mika Forss of Finland.

Heading into the final race of the event, to be held at Vincennes in Paris on Saturday, Vercruysse holds a commanding points lead over Bjorn Goop of Sweden and Erik Hoitomt of Norway. With 19 points for a win, the battle is on for third place, with six drivers, including Bartlett, vying for the position.

“After such a slow start, it’s good to be in a striking position for a top three finish,” said Bartlett.

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

1. Pierre Vercruysse-France-210
2. Björn Goop-Sweden-171
3. Eirik Hoitomt-Norway-149
4. Mika Forss-Finland-146
5. Antonio Frontera Pocovi-Spain-136
6. Jason Bartlett-USA-135
7. Gerhard Mayr-Austria-135
8. Rene Kjær-Denmark-132
9. Enrico Bellei-Italy-122
10. David Butcher-New Zealand-102
11. Neil Day-Australia-93
12. Trevor Henry-Canada-79