Arrival of the fifth: 1 – 3 – 5 – 11 – 9
Contested with the help of the autostart, the consolation of the Prix d’Amérique (Gr. I), the Prix de France, brought together fifteen competitors, aged 7 to 11, after the last minute withdrawal of Bahia Quesnot (n° 2) on the 2100 m course of the Paris-Vincennes racecourse. In this smoothly led Group I, victory went to the favourite, Vivid Wise As (#1). Despite the number behind the autostart, his driver Matthieu Abrivard did not panic and took the option of waiting before asking the fourth in the Prix d’Amérique to accelerate on the final straight.
After two consecutive second places in this prestigious event with Face Time Bourbon, the jacket of its owner Antonio Somma shines with a thousand lights on the Parisian dust. The representative of Alessandro Gocciadoro thus broke the race record in 1′09′’70 to the delight of Matthieu Abrivard: “I could take the lead when I started, but I preferred to wait. We were quite far downhill. Everything then went very well. He made no effort and jumped up to finish. He is a lion and a champion. I am very happy to win the Prix de France, it is the second best race after America on the French programme. » The next meeting of Vivid Wise As will be the Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d’Azur (Gr. I) on March 13 in Cagnes-sur-Mer, knowing that he is the title holder.
faller of Face Time Bourbon last year in this event, Delia du Pommereux (n° 3) sets the record straight. She had a hidden path and finished strong to take the first runners-up. This 9 year old mare has proven that she has returned to her top level. She will now be seen again in March on the Riviera racecourse as the winner.
After a half-hearted winter, Zacon Youth (n° 5) is completely rehabilitated. Associated with his trainer Jean-Michel Bazire, he benefited from a very good run in fifth or fifth position, was brought back well and finished in a pleasant action to take third place. Arrival fourth, Power (n° 11) also waited and showed very good strides. It causes a surprise at the arrival of this Prize, as Vitruvio (n° 9) which behaves remarkably. The second advantage of Alessandro Gocciadoro completes the arrival. The winner of the Prix d’Amérique, Davidson du Pont (n° 8) settles for ninth place. Quickly well placed, he found himself face to the wind and lowered his foot to finish. Amazing (#10) and Express Jet (#12) were at fault and were disqualified.
