There’s set to be a speed fest at Vincennes on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 28) as the third of four B-qualification races for the Prix d’Amerique – the Prix de Bourgogne – will be raced over a distance of 2,100 meters (about 1 5/16 miles), which is the sprint distance at Vincennes.
The race record is 1:52 (mile rate), while the Vincennes track record is 1:50.3 (mile rate). Both records could be broken in Sunday’s contest, where Go on Boy with Romain Derieux and Jushua Tree with Jean Michel Bazire are the favorites.
Jushua Tree has already qualified for the Prix d’Amerique, but is using this start as a final test, while Go on Boy, who won the Elitloppet in Stockholm in the spring, has only raced once in December after a long break, winning easily in Belgium.
A third favorite is the Vincennes track record holder, Jabalpur with Gabriele Gelormini, who disappointed as the favorite last time but was later found to be ill with a throat infection. Jabalpur is handicapped by starting in the second tier behind the gate at post position 14.
Sixteen trotters are entered in the race – the top four finishers will receive wild cards for the Prix d’Amerique. The race will be at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time and can be watched live at www.letrot.com.