Jag de Bellouet wins

Jag de Bellouet captured the $1,300,000 Prix d'Amerique Sunday afternoon at Vincennes racetrack outside Paris. The 1-2 favorite dominated the race, pulling away in the stretch drive to win by approximately three lengths over Gigant Neo with Ilster d'Espiens third.



A field of 18 went to the post on a foggy, misty afternoonwith the temperature in the mid-30s. Jag de Bellouet was among the early leaders as the field charged out of the starting chute. The 7-2 second favorite in the race, 2001 Hambletonian winner Scarlet Knight, took the lead from Jag de Bellout as they passed the grandstand the first time. But driver Christophe Gallier quickly moved Jag de Bellout into the first-over position and two favorites raced side by side for several hundred meters. Then at the 800 meter mark in the 2,700 meter (1 11/16 miles) race, Jag de Bellout took command of the race.



Coming around the final turn Scarlet Knight faded out of the picture as Jag de Bellout trotted home strong, pulling away from the second-place finishing Gigant Neo. Ilster d'Espiens, who raced second-over, held off the mare Hilda Zonett for third. American expatriot Civil Action was fifth.



The victory was the 13th straight for the 8-year-old son of Viking's Way and his 25th in 88 lifetime starts. He finished third in last year's race.



Hambletonian Society president Tom Charters was at the race and afterword extended an invitation to the connections of Jag de Bellouet to race in the Breeders Crown this summer. The owners indicated that they will seriously consider accepting the invitation.

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