by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

Timoko and driver Bjorn Goop are favored to win France’sprestigious Grand Criterium de Vitesse de la Cote d’Azur with $100,000 to thewinner.

In his last three races Timoko has had to face Bold Eagle, whois now busy at stud duty, and will not return to racing until August.

The Grand Criterium is the biggest mile race in France andTimoko has won it twice before.

The Starters:

1 Kadett CD (SE) – Robert Bergh

2 Un Mec d’Heripre (FR)– scratched

3 Solea Rivilliere (FR) – Philippe Daugeard

4 Pascia Lest (IT) – Nicholas Ensch

5 Voltigeur deMyrt (FR). Gabrielle Gelormini

6 Oasis Bi (IT)– Johnny Takter

7 Timoko (FR) – Bjørn Goop

8 Anna Mix (FR) – Pierre Vercruysse

9 Vicomte Boufarcaux (FR) – Ch. A. Mary

10 Trebol (ES) –Gabrielle A. Pou Pou

11 Luckycharm Hanover (US) – Yannick A. Briand

12 SaharaFairytale (SE) – Christophe Martens

13 Going for GoldZaz (SE) – Dominik Locqueneux

14 Air Frame (SE)– Romain Deriuex