Horse racing: Face Time Bourbon still dominated by Zacon Gio in Italy

There are no unbeatable horses. An adage that is confirmed even for Face Time Bourbon. While he seemed untouchable, the champion of Sébastien Guarato still had to bow to an incredible Zacon Gio in the Grand Prix of the Naples Lottery (Group I). Unaccustomed to defeat (this is his 5th in thirty attempts), the winner of the last Prix d’Amérique may have found his pet peeve with the 5-year-old Italian trotter, who had already beaten him in May 2019 , in Modena (Italy).

A big fear at the start

For his second trip to Italy, Face Time Bourbon therefore suffered a second defeat. But the Italian adventure on the Neapolitan lands of its owner, Antonio Somma, could have been cut short during the qualifying battery, where the champion of Sébastien Guarato set off at a gallop. Fortunately for his fans and those around him, the horse was quickly put back into good shape before flying over the debates to qualify in style. But without going very quickly.

A curious choice of number

Winners of their respective batteries, Zacon Gio and Grif opening were faster than the Prix d’Amérique winner and therefore had priority in choosing their number in the final, according to the race regulations. As they decide to start from lanes 1 and 3 respectively, we expected to see Face Time Bourbon with the number 2. But his entourage preferred to jump outside them, choosing the 4.

Zacon Gio’s victory

A curious choice that ultimately turned against Face Time Bourbon. The tricolor trotter was actually not able to compete with Zacon Gio during the start launched behind the autostart and found himself very far from the future winner. The task was too complicated for Face Time Bourbon, who circled his opponents in the last turn before failing half-length from the winner.

A feat signed by Zacon Gio

If it has never happened in France before, Zacon Gio is far from an unknown. Already fallen from Face Time Bourbon, Holger’s pupil Klaus Ehlert won 25 of the 38 races he competed. Although he has been beaten regularly since May, Zacon Gio achieved a real feat by winning drums and head and string final. His victory owes nothing to anyone, but to his talent. Face Time Bourbon has paid the price again.