The Critérium Continental, Sunday December 22 at the Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes, will offer its winner a qualifying ticket for the 2020 Grand Prix d’Amérique. Without minimizing the opposition, Face Time Bourbon will attract all eyes.
Holder of 17 victories in only 20 outings, Face Time Bourbon already has a sparkling track record, crowned with four successes in Group I races. He often leaves his rivals at bay and has extraordinary potential. Sébastien Guarato has made it clear: his main objective will be the Grand Prix d’Amérique 2020. The recent winner of a Group II, again detached, the 4-year-old will start with the favors of betting. Many observers have propelled it to the rank of favorite of the World Championship scheduled for January 26. His behavior in the Critérium Continental will therefore be decisive for the future. It will be a real test for Face Time Bourbon.
The son of Ready Cash will face tough adversity. 17 rivals will line up with him behind the wings of the autostart for a 2,100-meter journey on the Big Track. Five foreign competitors, often formidable in speed exercises, made the trip. Zarenne Fas and Campo Bahia seem the most dangerous. On the tricolor side, Fakir du Lorault, Fric du Chêne, Falcao from Laurma, Fairplay d’Urzy and Flèche du Yucca will have legitimate ambitions. Note that in the past, Upsalin, Idéal du Gazeau, Ténor de Baune, Général du Pommeau, Abano As, Offshore Dream and Bold Eagle have achieved the double Criterium Continental-Grand Prix d’Amérique.
