Top contenders emerging for Prix d’Amerique

The Prix de Bourgogne, a traditional prep for the Prix d’Amerique, was held Sunday at the Vincennes track in Paris, and two horses from the stable of Pierre Levesque—including 2007 and ’08 Prix d'Amerique winner Offshore Dream--finished one-two. The race was contested over a distance of 2,100 meters, and the winner was timed in an excellent mile rate of 1:54.4.

Levesque chose to drive Meaulnes du Corta, who ruined a chance for a second-place finish in the ’08 Prix d’Amerique by making a break in the homestretch. But this time Meaulnes du Corta prevailed despite a tough trip trotting three-wide with cover for an essential part of the distance.

Meanwhile, Offshore Dream, after a fast start initially, raced second-over and finished strong. As the field turned for home the Levesque pupils had a clear advantage ahead of the field and battled down the stretch.

The Prix d’Amerique will be contested over a distance of 2,700 meters with a standing start.

Other horses who appear poised to compete in the race are the Swedish candidates Triton Sund, who won Dec. 27 in V75 action in Sweden, and Opal Viking, who finished second in last year’s Prix d’Amerique.

Triton Sund, a son of Viking Kronos out of the Sugarcane Hanover mare Jade Sund, took his 10^th victory in V75 action (a top classification in Sweden). That’s an all-time record by a trotter. Triton Sund has tried his luck in France before without success, but as good as he is at the moment, trainer Stefan Hultman can be optimistic. He won the V75 race in a mile rate of 1:59.2 over 2,140 meters.

Opal Viking has raced five times lately in Italy and has four wins and a second. He won Dec. 26 at the Tor di Valle track in Rome, winning in a mile rate time of 2:00.1 over 2,000 meters for driver Jorma Kontio. Opal Viking, an eight-year-old son of Turnpike Taylor out of a mare by the U.S.-sired Lord Of All, will now head to France.

One other horse of note who did not perform so well over the holiday weekend was Commander Crowe, who made his first appearance in Paris and suffered his second career defeat in 27 starts.

French driver Frank Nivard drove Commander Crowe and they looked like a winner in the Prix de Bar le Duc. But Commander Crowe is a little lazy and was surprised by the fast-finishing Passion du Loisir and Jean Etienne Dubois, won won the photo. The 2,850 meter race was timed in a mile rate of 2:00.1. (By Lars Palm)

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