While it was originally stated that trotting mare Maven would be driven by French drivers during her upcoming European campaign, the proper term apparently should be been francophone drivers.
Driver Yannick Gingras, recently announced as the unanimous choice for driver of the year in the United States, confirmed to Trot Insider that he will drive Maven in the Prix de Bourgogne at Vincennes on December 28.
Maven (Glidemaster - M Stewart) is coming off a strong finish to her five-year-old year. Going back through her last five starts, her miles have been consistently faster than 1:53 with two faster than 1:52. Her most recent effort was a locked-in fifth in the TVG Final at The Meadowlands for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners John Fielding of Toronto, Ont., Herb Liverman of Miami Beach, Fl., and Joyce McClelland of Zanesville, Oh.
Gingras feels the Prix de Bourgogne is somewhat similar to what Maven is used to here in North America -- with a mobile starting gate as opposed to the standing start in some stakes events overseas -- but with a fuller field and a longer distance. The Prix de Bourgogne is raced at 2,100 metres, or 1-5/16 miles, which is a bit more than two laps around a five-eighths mile track.
"I don't really think distance will be a problem, and I know her better than anybody...I've been with her since her first race," Gingras told Trot Insider.
The drive on Maven in one of Europe's premier trotting events is the cherry on top of Gingras' outstanding season. He was the ‘first call’ driver for the two barns that dominated much of North American harness racing's stakes scene this year -- Ron Burke and Jimmy Takter -- and was the leading driver for the 2014 season at the Meadowlands Racetrack and in Grand Circuit competition. His 554 wins and $17.4 million in seasonal purses are both career bests.
Gingras, a native of Quebec who has been a regular driver in the U.S. since the early 2000s, feels extremely fortunate to given the opportunity to drive Maven in her quest for a start in the 2015 Prix d'Amerique.
"After the year I've had, which has been just one highlight after another, I feel really fortunate. I just want to pinch myself. I'm certainly enjoying it."
It will be Gingras' first drive in France, but not his first drive in Europe. That came earlier this year when Maven raced in Sweden's Elitlopp. The experience has Gingras planning on returning to France to take in the Prix d'Amerique, regardless of whether or not he's listed to drive Maven.
"And hopefully I'll be there in the winner's circle with her after the race."
The trip to France will be mainly business for Gingras, who had to alter some previously-arranged family vacation time to fit in the trip for himself and his wife Vicki.
"We're not going as long as we'd like...it's right after Christmas and we obviously didn't want to leave on Christmas Day. We're leaving on the 26th, getting there on the 27th.
"We had a trip planned with family to Puerto Rico, and we were actually leaving on the 28th (the day of the race) so we changed that flight and now we're leaving on the 29th. Right after the race, we're flying right back....it's going to be a busy few days."
Gingras will enjoy a rare full week's vacation with his wife and kids after getting back from France.
"I'm not a guy that usually takes a lot of time off...this year, we decided we're going for seven days and enjoying our time off as a family."
Upon his return, Gingras certainly has more to look forward to. His 2015 season looks just as robust, with a slate of top talent returning to the track and, driving for the likes of Burke and Takter, sure to have some yearlings turning two-year-olds next year that will contend for harness racing's major freshman stakes.