Five Group 2 Clashes at Vincennes: The Ultimate Baptism of Fire for the Critériums

Today, the temple of trotting, Vincennes, is entirely focused on the final dress rehearsal for the Critériums. Five Group 2 races over the classic 2,700-meter Grande Piste will serve as the decider for the championships in mid-September. The renovated cendrée, which reopened in late August after intensive maintenance, thus receives its baptism of fire at the highest level.

In the Prix Annick Dreux, the qualifier for three-year-old fillies, Nocive du Choquel (trainer Nicolas Bridault) commands most of the attention. The Prix Albert Viel winner had an unfortunate return at Enghien but is the horse to beat today, with the trainer himself in the bike. However, she faces stiff competition from rivals like Noela Joss and Normandie Ni in a compact field of nine runners.

The four-year-old fillies compete in the Prix Gaston de Wazières, which also serves as the day’s Quinté+. The standout here is Mila des Couperies (trainer Laurent-Claude Abrivard), with Alexandre Abrivard taking the lines to race the filly fully barefoot for the first time. Marinella Vrie (trainer Matthieu Mottier), the powerful Magic Night (trainer Philippe Allaire) with Benjamin Rochard, and Madrid Haufor (trainer Christian Bigeon) accompanied by Damien Bonne complete the lineup.

Among the four-year-old colts in the Prix Gaston Brunet, Mentor de Play (trainer Fabrice Blandin) is the favorite. With Fabrice Blandin himself in the sulky, he is the benchmark for this field, boasting an undefeated record when racing barefoot all around. Mellow Speed (trainer Nicolas Bazire) is supported by Jean-Michel Bazire, and Magic Man (trainer Etienne Dubois) starts under the guidance of Eric Raffin; both already showed their quality at Enghien.

The five-year-olds make their appearance in the Prix Jockey, which looks to be the most competitive race of the afternoon on paper. Lombok Jiel (trainer Jean-Luc Dersoir) is entrusted to driver Pierre-Yves Verva, but he is closely pursued by the powerhouse Lancier du Goutier (trainer Thierry Duvaldestin), who will be guided to the finish by Théo Duvaldestin. The in-form mare Liza Josselyn (trainer Nicolas Bazire) will also join the fray with Jean-Michel Bazire to secure a ticket for the Critérium des 5 Ans.

The afternoon concludes with the Prix Jacques de Vaulogé for three-year-old colts, where Thierry Duvaldestin’s stable dominates with four strings to its bow. The still-unbeaten Nuevo (trainer Thierry Duvaldestin) is led by Clément Duvaldestin for his second big test at Group 2 level following his recent triumph. He faces competition from stablemate Nuevo Cash (trainer Thierry Duvaldestin), driven by Théo Duvaldestin, and the strong Nat King Cole (trainer Philippe Allaire) with David Thomain, while Nobel du Rib (trainer Joël Hallais) with Noé Perron in the sulky ventures into top-class company.