The Critérium Continental and the Prix Ténor de Baune, Sunday December 22 at the Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes, offered superb arrivals to the public. Face Time Bourbon and Excellent were the two winners.
The third and fourth qualifying race for the Grand Prix d’Amérique, the Critérium Continental and the Prix Ténor de Baune give one ticket each year to the big event at the end of January. Only the winner of each confrontation has the right to participate in the World Harnessed Trot Championship. The 2019 edition of the Critérium Continental crowned Face Time Bourbon, the undisputed favorite. We would have preferred to watch a real fight in the straight line with Campo Bahia, who had taken an option for the victory, but the Swedish horse started to gallop at the end of the last corner. The task of Sébastien Guarato’s protégé, led by Björn Goop, was even easier.
Excellent was easily imposed in the Prix Tenor de Baune, facing only 5 year olds. Alexandre Abrivard’s partner signed a second consecutive victory and confirmed the good consistency he has shown since the start of the year. Excellent and Face Time Bourbon join Davidson du Pont, Chica de Joudes, Looking Superb, Délia du Pommereux, Bold Eagle and Billie de Montfort on the list of horses qualified for the 2020 Grand Prix d’Amérique. Next selection event: the Grand Prix de Bourgogne, which will take place on Sunday 29 December.
