After a one-on-one showdown with the great Bold Eagle through the lane, the Björn Goop-driven Readly Express still had enough to dig in and fend off his foe in deep stretch while capturing the 2018 Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes in France on Sunday (January 28).
Readly Express (8) and Bold Eagle, pictured through the wire at the 2018 Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes in France on Sunday (January 28) (Image courtesy Twitter / LeTROT)
The Timo Nurmos trainee got away well from Post 8, as Goop had him forwardly placed second and third over through the opening stages of the €1-million race.
Readly Express never made a move to the point throughout the early stages of the race. Nevertheless, he was game and up for the late slugfest, even though he had Bold Eagle looming directly behind him.
Readly Express was ready to spar with his foe in front of the strong crowd at Vincennes. He dug in and fought for every inch of the racetrack as driver Franck Nivard and Bold Eagle, battling on the outside, were intent on wearing down their cover and hitting the wire first.
It was evident that if Bold Eagle was going to get the job done, Readly Express would have to succumb to his trip, which didn’t happen.
Both horses were strong through the wire. Readly Express hit the wire first and appeared to be less than one length the best in victory. Propulsion, who was driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, found racing room late and got up to finish third.
Readly Express (8) pictured holding off Bold Eagle (18) in the 2018 Prix d’Amerique (Gerard Forni / Twitter)
Readly Express and Bold Eagle were both timed in a mile-rated 1.54.3, a time which equals Bold Eagle's stakes record from his 2017 victory.
The Ready Cash-Caddie Dream six-year-old is owned by Bro Byggnads AB.
Readly Express, pictured after his victory in the 2018 Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes in France on Sunday (January 28) (Image courtesy Twitter / LeTROT)
Readly Express, pictured after his victory in the 2018 Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes in France on Sunday (January 28) (Image courtesy Twitter / LeTROT)