Meaulnes du Corta gets revenge this year

Last January Meaulnes du Corta broke stride in the homestretch while making a bid to win the Prix d’Amerique, but this year driver Franck Nivard made sure the 88^th edition of the race belonged to the 9-year-old stallion. They got their revenge on Sunday afternoon in Paris by defeating Nouba du Saptel and the Jean-Pierre Dubois-driven Qualita Bourbon, who were second and third, respectively. Offshore Dream, who was attempting to win his third straight Prix’Amerique, turned in a strong effort but couldn’t get the job done this year, finishing sixth.

The time of the 1 5/8^ths mile race (2,700 meters) was a mile rate of 1:56.3. Olga du Biwetz was fourth and Opal Viking took fifth.

A very good crowd turned out at the Vincennes racetrack in Paris on a seasonable but not too cold day.

Meaulnes du Corta was highly regarded by many trotting observers, but went off as the third choice in the betting. Pierre Levesque trains the winner, and the French horseman is also the trainer of Offshore Dream, who he drove to the horse’s two Prix d’Amerique victories, and was up behind on Sunday as well.

Meaulnes du Corta took the lead in the race with about a mile remaining. That left Qualita Bourbon, a youngster in the field at age five, racing without cover for the rest of the race, which was a very impressive feat.

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