Up And Quick and Jean-Michel Bazire have just magnificently landed the 2015 Prix d’Amérique Opodo. The hot Big Race favourites both lived up to their reputation. Jean-Michel Bazire drove a faultless race and Up And Quick responded perfectly.
Mosaique Face set off at a very stiff pace in the early phase while the others made tactical moves mid-field to get tucked in behind the favourite. But as soon as the favourite picked up, the final 800 meters were covered very quickly. Up And Quick took off in the straight to score in 1’12″20, while Voltigeur de Myrt excelled in the final 500m to produce a very decent turn of foot to take second spot ahead of a valiant Timoko. Uhlan du Val endorsed his decent winter efforts in 4th, with the young 5yo Aladin d’Ecajeul finished an encouraging 5th.
Runner-up to Maharajah last year, Up And Quick has thus landed his first Prix d’Amérique, just like trainer Franck Leblanc and Quick Star stable owner Philippe Delon. But it was Jean-Michel Bazire’s third, adding to wins on Moni Maker (1999) and Késaco Phédo (2004). The racegoers reserved him a huge ovation which matched the respect and affection they have for the best French driver ever, with a record-breaking 16 Golden Sulkies.
