Liza Josselyn förbereder sig för Criterium Continental

The best four-year-old colts and fillies return to the track of Vincennes.

The Prix Ariste Hemard and Prix Octave Douesnel are both Group 2 races run over 2700m that are often used as the last step before the Criterium Continental (which offers a direct ticket to the Grand Prix d'Amérique to the winner). Both divisions come with strong honor lists. Just Love You and Belina Josselyn stand out in the filly division; Jushua Tree, Hohneck, Face Time Bourbon, Bold Eagle and Ready Cash are among the names in the colt division.

In the Prix Ariste Hemard, Liza Josselyn will be the highlight and huge favorite. The Ready Cash–Belina Josselyn mare has done nothing but impress. In her latest race, the Prix Marcel Laurent on November 6, she beat older colts and fillies in a shattering 1'10''0 over 2100m.

While she has confirmed her status as one of the best of the generation, and hopes among fans are that she'll follow in the footsteps of her mom and dad to win a Grand Prix d'Amérique, Team Bazire have already confirmed it will be highly unlikely she will be seen in the Grand Prix d'Amérique next year. “We don't want her to burn her wings too fast’’.

After the Prix Ariste Hemard and Criterium Continental, Liza Josselyn is aiming for the Prix Bold Eagle, a Group 1 race on Saturday January 24, one day before the Grand Prix d'Amérique.

In the Prix Ariste Hemard on Saturday, Jean-Michel Bazire will drive her. She will race with the same iron set-up as in the Prix Marcel Laurent and is the only mare in the field that has been given a green emoji.

Among the challengers is Liberté de Choisel. With her usual partner Anthony Barrier she’s one of the most consistent fillies in the field. She started her career by winning and has continued doing so. She won 8 out of 11 races, where her last two races seem to have been a small preparation towards the winter meeting. The mare seems to prefer to lead the race, and she is a great starter as well. The only question remains if she can hand Liza Josselyn a challenge?

Consistent horses to look at for the places are Louve de Rêve d'Or, Love Letter and London.

In the colt division, an entirely different race seems to be shaping up. As straightforward as the filly division looks on paper, the Prix Octave Douesnel looks incredibly open.

The race includes multiple Grand Prix de l’U.E.T participants, while Joakim Elfving-trained Phantom Express will make his French debut in this race. Two among the best French four-year-olds take on the names known internationally. For this one, we take a look throughout the entire field.

Ferahan As

Italian trained by Vitale Ciotola, who will also drive his horse in this race. Seems to be out of his depth and has been given the red emoji, indicating the trainer does not expect his horse to put in a performance. Starting on all fours.

Fellow Wise As

The colt started his career in Italy under the care of Alessandro Gocciadoro. With successes in both Italy and Sweden, the colt was always looked at as one with potential for success. He moved to the Bazire stables after a disqualification in Rome on June 1. He made his French debut on September 29, and in his third race at Vincennes on November 27 he took a strong win in 1'10''9 over 2100m. He has to step up once again to be amongst the top finishers, but leaves in great form. Trainer Nicolas Bazire will drive.

Fil EK

Another Italian participant. Gabriele Gelormini will drive, but this task seems to be out of his league. Has been mostly racing in Italy over the shorter distances, with some visits to France where he raced over 2700m or longer.

Lord du Gers

Jean-Michel Bazire drives. Has been a regular in the group races for four-year-olds. Has been racing throughout the year with a small dip in form in his latest races. Seems to be aiming for the bigger races this season. As Team Bazire can prepare their horses brilliantly, Lord du Gers is among the favorites for the top spots in this field.

L’as Debois

The Doria Debois son (winner of the 2017 Criterium Continental) is the discovery of the past few months. Has been growing into a fine racehorse. Impressed everyone with a strong performance in his last race on November 22 and immediately raised questions about the possibility of racing in the biggest races this winter season. We have to keep in mind his regular driver Matthieu Abrivard will not drive, as he has chosen to drive Frank Gio. David Thomain will do the honors for trainer William Bigeon.

Phantom Express

The Swedish horse will make his French debut in this race. Was last seen in the Swedish Derby on September 8, where he unfortunately made a break in the last turn. Raced hard in the Derby elimination on August 26 to still win the race, confirming he has the potential to do well. Returns from a 3-month break and starts on all irons (most of his successful races have been on all irons). Form is unknown and going into a tough race immediately he is amongst the outsiders. Benjamin Rochard will drive.

Learn to Fly

One of the most consistent performers in the field. He almost seems to have a subscription to finishing fourth in Group races for this age group. An honest horse that is among the contenders for a placing. As usual driven by Paul Ploquin.

Far Wise As

Moved to Dutch trainer Paul Hagoort in the summer after the news about his old trainer Jerry Riordan came to light. Has put in two nice performances before catching a cold/flu and delivering a disappointing run in the Breeders Crown semi-final on November second.

Moved back to Hagoort’s headquarters in The Netherlands for a small break to regain his fitness. Has the strength to compete against the best of the generation. Paul Hagoort believes the French track will suit his horse and has been thinking about Vincennes from the moment the horse arrived in his stable. Alexandre Abrivard will drive, which will be a big positive for his first outing at Vincennes.

Loulou de Mye

Although often seen in Group races, the colt still remains an outsider. Struggles to find a top four placing and needs a lot of luck to do so in this race.

Falco Killer Gar

Finding his rhythm in French racing nicely. Unfortunately made a break in the latter stages of the Prix Marcel Laurent as he was looking to challenge Liza Josselyn. Was completely barefoot in his last race and has reverted back to irons in front, barefoot behind, which seems to be his preferred set-up. Green emoji indicates he's racing to win. Clément Duvaldestin will drive and he belongs to the contenders.

Lombok Jiel

Always amongst the horses to look out for in the bigger age-group races. Returned to racing at Mons on November 25 and impressed doing so. Lombok Jiel is an incredibly fast finisher and is dangerous for all. Plated in front, barefoot behind means he's on a set-up he's won a Group 2 race on before.

First Of Mind

Italian Derby winner of 2024 where he beat Frank Gio. Has become a fixed name in big races throughout Europe. Wasn't able to impress in the Grand Prix de l'U.E.T. final (October 11) where he raced from the back but couldn't use his speed. Returns to Vincennes; he has done well here before. Track isn't a problem but form remains a question mark. Trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro drives.

Frank Gio

Has been given the green emoji indicating he's racing to win. Always strong at Vincennes, and although his U.E.T. elimination and final weren’t his usual level, he is still amongst the favorites here. Matthieu Abrivard drives. Racing with plates in front and barefoot behind, a set-up only used once before in the U.E.T. final at Solvalla.

Lovino Bello

Loves the big track of Vincennes and seemed out of his comfort zone at Solvalla in the U.E.T. final. Racing barefoot and with a green emoji, trainer Thierry Duvaldestin remains confident his colt can pick up where he left off on French soil; putting in strong and fast performances.

Both Group 2 races give a final indication of where the four-year-olds stand heading into the Criterium Continental — and who we should keep an eye on moving forward.