Everyone was impatiently awaiting the Prix d’Amérique Races Zeturf Qualif 4 – Prix Ténor de Baune – and the participation of the Scandinavian champion, Calgary Games, against the best French trotters aged 5 years. Unfortunately for his fans and his many takers, Björn Goop’s partner lost the pace when approaching the plain, thus experiencing the first defeat of his career. So he will not imitate his father, Readly Expresswinner of this event in 2017. This prank was a godsend for his opponents, who took full advantage of Horsy Dream, which confirms its rise in power in recent weeks. “I took the risk of running beaten, admits Éric Raffin, who also took advantage of the fault of Herald of Arms in the final bend to be able to free themselves from the rope. Pierre Belloche had given me no orders. He just told me to have fun and not break his toy (laughs). ” One thing is certain, the driver who is flying towards a fourth Sulky d’Or, must have savored the formidable straight line of his partner, winner of his first Group I. “We had to win today”, continues the driver winner, who secures a place for the last Sunday of January thanks to this victory. “Last year, I watched the Prix d’Amérique from the stands,” he says, remembering Face Time Bourbon’s last-minute package. Horsy Dream is one of the horses that will have a chance to finish in the fifth on January 29. »
If the Vendée driver is enthusiastic after this success, it is the same for its owners, the François family, who could not hide their emotion at the passage of the post. ” Horsy Dream lives up to its name and the dream continues, says Sylvain François. I have the soul of a breeder and this is a magnificent advertisement for his pedigree. »
Tillard’s Idao in demonstration
One hour later, Idao de Tillard has once again displayed its enormous potential. Unlike his Swedish counterpart, the French champion was there, winning the Prix d’Amérique Races Zeturf Qualif 3 – Critérium Continental without flinching, adding a second Group I to his list. “It’s a real thing,” announces his trainer, Thierry Duvaldestin. And seeing the way in which Idao de Tillard strolled through this prestigious meeting, won by Bold Eagle et Face Time Bourbon in the past, there is no doubt that the one who has seventeen victories in twenty-four attempts will be one of the contenders for the title in the Prix d’Amérique. For its pilot, Clément Duvaldestin, the dream continues. “When I lowered his blinkers, he flew away, confirms the person concerned. I don’t know if I would ever find a horse like him again. A trotter that is out of the ordinary and also capsized its owner, Cyril Sevestre: “I admit I shed a little tear for the first time today. »
Bjorn Goop’s disappointment
Several minutes after the disqualification of Calgary Games, his driver, Björn Goop was isolated in the Vincennes locker room, and showed the face of the bad days. Despite the disappointment, the Swedish driver returned to the moment when all his hopes collapsed: “I’m obviously disappointed. But these are the races and you have to stay at a trot from one end of the course to the other. I don’t really have an explanation for this lack of pace. He galloped for no apparent reason. Fortunately, the horse returned in good health. As for his future program, we will have to see what his entourage will do. » Calgary Games will have a last chance to qualify by contesting the Prix d’Amerique Races Zeturf Qualif 6 – Prix de Belgique on January 15th. His trainer, Timo Nurmos, will make his decision in the coming days on the future of his champion.
