Paris-Vincennes’ winter festival has already started since a month, but is getting into a crucial phase with the Prix de Bretagne, the first of six #opodoraces and the first qualifier leading to the Prix d’Amérique Opodo raced on January 31st, 2016.
The winter festival and the Prix d’Amérique Opodo in particular can be considered as an action-packed serial: we know the scene, Paris-Vincennes; the theme, the quest for ultimate consecration; most of the actors, but not the epilogue. And on Saturday, it will be the first episode of the 2015-2016 season with the Prix de Bretagne, first qualifying event by points (before the Prix du Bourbonnais, de Bourgogne and de Belgique). The #opodoraces are completed by two other direct qualifiers which are the Critérium Continental and Prix Ténor de Baune.
Raced over the same distance as the Prix d’Amérique Opodo, 2,700m long track, the Prix de Bretagne 2015 should gather the first four of the last world championship: Up And Quick, Voltigeur de Myrt (picture), Timoko, and Uhlan du Val. However, if they all have in common the same ambition for the last Sunday of January, this first stage won’t have the same flavour for all of them. Up And Quick and Uhlan du Val are still building pressure, while Timoko and especially Voltigeur de Myrt have already shown their good form this autumn. The first in the United States, finishing second in the International Trot ($1 Million purse), the second in France and Europe, recently winning the Prix des Géants at Wolvega (Holland). Associated with popular diver Gabriele Gelormini (aka Gaby), Voltigeur de Myrt will be the attraction of this first thrilling episode.
The four Opodo qualifiers by points:
Prix de Bretagne, November 21
Prix du Bourbonbais, December 13
Prix de Bourgogne, January 3
Prix de Belgique, January 17
The two Opodo qualifiers by immediate qualification:
Prix Ténor de Baune, December 27
Critérium Continental, December 27
