The 2020 renewal of the Grand Prix d'Amérique, which was celebrating its centennial anniversary, was contested in front of a full house today (Sunday, Jan. 26) at the Hippodrome de Vincennes in Paris, France.
Eighteen of the world's top trotters squared off in the 2,700-metre (1-11/16 miles) clash, which carried a purse of €900,000 (CAD $1.3 million) and faced the gate for Race 7.
After having trotted a forwardly-placed trip, Face Time Bourbon and driver Björn Goop surged up along the inside through the homestretch and went on to nail the wire first. Goop pumped his left fist in the air as he and his charge defeated Post 7 starter Davidson Du Pont. Face Time Bourbon had been drafting in behind Davidson Du Pont as the field entered the stretch. Goop made the decision in the lane to dart to the inside and fire home. The move paid off in full.
Post 16 starter Belina Josselyn rounded out the top three, while Post 2 starter Chica De Joudes finished fourth and Post 11 starter Vitruvio finished fifth.
Face Time Bourbon and driver Björn Goop, pictured victorious in the 2020 Prix d'Amérique.
Sébastien Guarato trains Face Time Bourbon, whose big win was mile-rated in 1:55. The five-year-old son of Ready Cash was representing France, and had raced both along the inside and overland (first over and second over) during different stages of the race. Face Time Bourbon was the youngest starter in the field.
Other notable participants in the race included fellow Guarato trainee Bold Eagle, who proved to not be a factor in the race, Milligans School and Propulsion, who were not part of the mix in the late stages.
