Four-year old French top trotter, Face Time Bourbon driven by Björn Goop earned a spot in the Prix d’Amerique 2020 by winning the Criterium Continental at Vincennes Sunday afternoon (Dec. 22).

Face Time Bourbon driven by Björn Goop earned a spot in the Prix d’Amerique 2020 by winning the Criterium Continental at Vincennes Sunday afternoon. Photo by Gerard Forni.

Face Time Bourbon was the 4-10 favorite in the race but looked in trouble at the last quarter as he trailed Campo Bahia with Conrad Lugauer by two lengths.

However, going into the stretch, Campo Bahia (sired by Muscle Hill) suddenly went off stride, and the way to the winner’s circle was then paved for Face Time Bourbon.

After the break, Face Time Bourbon, who is trained by Sebastian Guarato, easily won the 1-5/8 mile contest in 1.53.3 (mile rate). Fleche du Yucca with Jean Philippe Dubois was second and Frisbee d’Am with Alexandre Abrivard finished third.

The purse for the winner was 90.000 Euro, which made Face Time Bourbon a millionaire.  He has now earnings of 1.068.550 Euro – or approx. $1.2 million.

Another spot in the Prix d’Amerique was up for grabs in the Prix Tenor du Baune for 5- year old trotters.

It was won easily in 1:55.1 (mile rate) by the handsome French trotter Excellent driven by Alexandre Abrivard. He was bred, and is owned and trained by his father, Laurent Claude Abrivard.

Prix Tenor de Baune was raced over the same distance as the Prix d’Amerique – 2,700 meters or 1-11/16 miles.