Bold Prediction For Bold Eagle

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Published: January 30, 2016 09:09 am EST

"Ourasi won Prix d'Amérique four times, we're going to beat his record!"

The track at Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes might be 1,975 meters (1.22 miles), but there is nowhere to rest during the Prix d'Amérique.

The heavy favourite Bold Eagle chases the first cheque and €450,000 (approximately $490,000 USD). He aims to be only the 15th five-year-old to win the Prix d'Amérique, which will be raced for the 95th time.

French trainer Sebastién Guarato has never won the Prix d'Amérique, but this year he's certain. Bold Eagle is what French turf writers calls a ”crack”, and they put him already in the same regard as Varenne and the sire of Bold Eagle, Ready Cash. Both Varenne and Ready Cash won the Prix d'Amérique twice, Ready Cash with Franck Nivard in the bike. On Sunday, Nivard's choice is Bold Eagle. The driver has dominated Vincennes this winter and has already 18 Group 1 victories.

Bold Eagle has made a big impression throughout his career, winning 20 of 23 starts including major wins this winter in the Critérium Continental and Prix de Belgique.

Timoko, second after a tough trip in the International Trot last year, is second choice. Dutch trainer Richard Westerink is stationed in the south of France, and the horse's driver Björn Goop, is Swedish. Timoko won one of the four B-races which comprise the "Road to Prix d'Amérique”, the 2016 Prix de Bourgogne.

Last year's winner, Up and Quick, has been far, far of his best this winter. He has looked tired and trainer Franck Leblanc seemed worried this week, when he closed his stable at the big training centre at Grobois, south of Paris. But Up and Quick will race without shoes and with ”blinds” for the first time on Sunday since last winter.

The 2016 Prix d'Amérique will be raced on Sunday at approximately 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time.

1. Athos des Elfes – Joël Van Eeckhaute
2. Nephenta Lux – Alessandro Gocciadoro
3. Lionel – Örjan Kihlström
4. Viking de Val – Eric Lambertz
5. Moses Rob – Pierre Levesque
6. Soléa Rivellière – Sébastien Olivier
7. Bird Parker – Yoann Lebourgeois
8. Support Justice – Eric Raffin
9. Oasis Bi – Pierre Vercruysse
10. Bold Eagle – Franck Nivard
11. Un Mec d'Héripré – Roberto Andreghetti
12. Voltigeur de Myrt – Gabriele Gelormini
13. Akim du Cap Vert – Franck Anne
14. Mosaique Face – Lutfi Kolgjini
15. Univers de Pan – Philippe Daugeard
16. Tiégo d'Etang – Christian Bigeon
17. Up and Quick – Jean Michel Bazire
18. Timoko – Björn Goop

Trot Insider will post a recap and replay of the Prix d'Amerique on Sunday morning.

(Ola Lernå/Travronden)

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