Top-class trotting awaits at the Vincennes racetrack in Paris on both Saturday (Jan. 24) and Sunday (Jan. 25).
While Saturday used to be considered merely a warm-up for Sunday’s program, this year’s card is exceptionally strong, featuring some of Europe’s best 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. These age‑restricted races were previously held on Sunday but have now been moved to Saturday, lifting the sporting level to new heights.
You can follow all the action from Vincennes live at www.letrot.com, where you’ll also find start lists and results – all free to access.
The first race on Saturday at Vincennes is off at 9:23 a.m., and Sunday at 5:55 a.m., both Eastern time.
The Prix d’Amérique on Sunday is off at 10:20 a.m. Eastern time.
Below is an overview of the key races during the weekend:
Saturday
Race 3 – Prix Paul Viel – Group II – 3-year-old colts – 1-11/16 miles – Purse €150,000
A rematch between Nob Hill (Gu d’Heripre), trained and driven by Mathieu Mottier, and Nueva Cash (by Ready Cash) with Théo Duvaldestin in the bike.
Nob Hill won his first four starts, but last time he went off stride and was disqualified and placed last. Nueva Cash then earned his first career victory after having finished second to Nob Hill twice.
Race 4 – Prix de Luxembourg – Group III – Older trotters – 1-5/16 miles – Purse €100,000
This race used to be the main attraction on the day but is now overshadowed by the age‑group events.
Five Italian trotters line up, and the winner is likely to be among them. East Asia could be the one to beat.
Race 6 – Prix Ourasi – Group I – 4-year-olds – 1-5/16 miles – Purse €300,000
Once again, Italian trotters take center stage:
- Golden Gio (Face Time Bourbon) with Matthieu Abrivard
- Guglielmo Jet (Maharajah) with Alessandro Gocciadoro
- Ginostrabliggi (Muscle Hill) with Gabriele Gelormini
The top French contender is Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon), driven by Théo Duvaldestin.
Race 8 – Prix Bold Eagle – Group I – 5-year-old trotters – 1-11/16 miles – Purse €300,000
Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash), driven by Nicolas Bazire, had earned a spot in the Prix d’Amérique, but her connections chose this race instead. She will likely go off as the favorite.
Sunday
Race 6 – Prix d’Amérique – Group 1 – open class – 1-11/16 mile – Purse 1 million Euros
Here is the field:
- Harmony du Rabutin (Royal Dream) – David Bekaert – Guillaume Richard Huguet
- Iroise de la Noe (Tornado Bello) – Eric Raffin – Thomas Levesque
- King Opera (Ready Cash) – William Bigeon
- J’Aime Le Foot (Boccador de Simm) – Antoine Lhereté
- Immortal Doc (Brillantissime) – Björn Goop – Fredrik Wallin
- Epic Kronos (Muscle Hill) – Paul-Philippe Ploquin – Daniel Redén
- Keep Going (Follow You) – Mathieu Mottier
- Bullet the Bluesky (Readly Express) – Daniel Wäjersten
- Lovino Bello (Village Mystic) – Clément Duvaldestin – Thierry Duvaldestin
- Frank Gio (Face Time Bourbon) – Matthieu Abrivard – Sébastien Guarato
- Josh Power (Offshore Dream) – Sébastien Ernault
- Just Love You (Love You) – Alexandre Abrivard – Laurent-Claude Abrivard
- Hokkaido Jiel (Brillantissime) – Frank Nivard – Jean-Luc Dersoir
- Inmarosa (Amiral Sacha) – Léo Abrivard – Laurent-Claude Abrivard
- Koctel du Dain (Boccador de Simm) – David Thomain – Philippe Allaire
- Hooker Berry (Booster Winner) – Damien Bonne – Antoine Lhereté
- Francesco Zet (Father Patrick) – Benjamin Rochard – Daniel Redén
- Go On Boy (Password) – Romain Derieux