Bold Eagle swoops for second Prix d’Amerique
PARIS: Bold Eagle emulated his father Ready Cash in defending his Prix d’Amerique crown in style at Vincennes on Sunday.
The odds- on favourite was driven patient ly by Franck Nivard, claiming his fifth success in harness trotting’s most famous race.
Timoko, runner-up 12 months ago, led early on with Bold Eagle waiting patiently towards the rear.
Nivard, who had guided Bold Eagle’s sire Ready Cash to win the one million euro prize in 2011 and 2012, gradually reeled in the leaders.
Turning for home Nivard and his brilliant equine teammate pounced on new leader Belina Josselyn to go on and win comfortably in front of an estimated 40,000 crowd at the mecca of trotting on the outskirts of Paris.
Belina Josselyn hung on for second with Lionel in third.
“It ’ s extraordinary,” said Nivard.
“I’d already had lots of luck being associated with Ready Cash, and now Bold Eagle.
“In the home turn I waited until we were completely straight before releasing him.”
There was drama before the 96th edition of the race named in honour of the assistance the United States gave France in World War One hand with two false starts caused by Anna Mix who was disqualified.
But Bold Eagle was unperturbed by the delay, travelling calmly to repeat his record-breaking success in the 27000m showpiece 12 months ago. The classy six-year- old is trained by Sebastien Guarato, whose pre-race confidence proved totally justified.
Timoko, having played a prominent role early on, faded to beat one home, finishing second last.
At 10-years- of- age the richest trotter in training was competing in his sixth and final d’Amerique.
Runner-up Belina Josselyn is trained and driven by Jean-Michel Bazire.
Third- placed Lionel, named after Barcelona’s Argentina legend Lionel Messi, was making up for his early 2016 disqualification when he broke out of a trot into a gallop. — AFP