Prix d’Amerique Sunday is world’s richest harness race

On Sunday afternoon just outside of Paris, France, the Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes is hosting the world’s richest race for Standardbreds, the Prix d’Amerique, with a purse of 1 million euros ($1,114,000 US).

There will be 18 harness racing horses going to post in the Prix d’Amerique, which is held at a distance of 2,700 meters or 1.67 miles. The weather forecast for Paris on Sunday is a high of 51 (10 celsius), partly cloudy with a chance of rain.

Also on race card Sunday is the Prix de France Speed Race (2,100 meters/1.3 miles) and the Prix de Paris Marathon Race (4,150 meters/2.57 miles), each with a purse of 400,000 euros ($450,000 US).

The Prix d’Amerique was first held in February 1920. The race was developed as a tribute to America’s aid to France in World War I. There were 14 starters in the first edition, racing for a purse of 20,000 francs.

On Sunday there will be 36 countries that will carry the Prix d’Amerique race card via television, internet and radio.

Last year a total of 96 million euros ($107 million US) was wagered on the three big races.

The average attendance at the track for the Prix d’Amerique is 40,000 people. Due to Covid this year, only 5,000 race fans will be permitted to attend the race card. These are the fans that were fortunate to get tickets well in advance for the big race day.

The race card begins at 12:00 noon in France, which is 6:00 am in the USA (EST). The Prix d’Amerique is scheduled to go off at 16:20 pm (10:20 am US).

To watch the races, fans can view the race card either at www.prixdameriqueraces.com or at www.letrot.com.

Jean-Michel Bazire is the trainer most represented horseman in the Final. The Sarthe-guy with the 20 Gold Sulkies has entered four major horses in the race: Davidson du Pont, second last year in the Prix d’Amerique, Feydeau Seven who won the 2022 Qualif#6- Prix de Belgique, Rebella Matters, outstanding in the qualifying races, and Zacon Gio, another top international start. “JMB” will drive Feydeau Seven.

Etonnant could well compete with Davidson du Pont for the title of favorite. Richard Westerink’s protégé won the Prix de Paris Marathon race in 2021 and he has beaten Face Time Bourbon this year in the Qualif#2 – Prix du Bourbonnais.

Galius may have won less money than his opponents, but he is certainly not the least gifted of the field.

Flamme du Goutier will try to win the World Championship after being crowned “Under-Saddle” World champion last Sunday at Paris-Vincennes.

Honneck is the youngest competitor of the field, he won his last three races and Gu d’Héripré finished third last year in the Prix d’Amerique. They can all play a leading role in the big race.

Four participants trained abroad will challenge the local nationals. They are Power, Cockstile, Vitruvio and Vivid Wise As. Cockstile had a strong triumph in the Qualif#5 – Prix de Bourgogne and is the most dangerous visitor of the group.

Below are the 18 starters in the Prix d’Amerique on Sunday.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink