1,000,000€ Prix d’Amerique goes to Hooker Berry

Hooker Berry (6m Booster Winner-Osaka Berry), off at 7.5/1 odds, swept three wide to the lead mid stretch and drew wide and off to an easy harness racing victory in 2023 Prix d’Amerique (purse 1,000,000€, Gr. I International for 4-11 year olds, 2700 meters) timed in 1.11.7kr at Vincennes, France Sunday, January 29.

The master trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire engineered a superb journey for the now 13-time career winner of 1,423,520€. Bazire followed fourth on the outer tier with Hooker Berry entering the lane and then took aim at front trotting Don Fanucci Zet (7m Hard Livin-Kissed By The West) and Yoann Lebourgeois that faded to sixth at 8.4/1 odds.

HOOKER BERRY REPLAY

The 34/1 Ampia Mede SM (7f Ganymede-Polimpia Slide SM) was second to the line for Franck Nivard and trainer Fabrice Souloy. Third was 21/1 Italiano Vero (5m Ready Cash-Baraka d’Henlou) with David Thomain up for trainer Philippe Allaire.

The game 32/1 Hip Hop Haufor (6m Up And Quick) was a game fourth for breeder/owner/trainer/driver Christian Bigeon and 30/1 Hohneck (6m Royal Dream) was fifth for trainer Allaire and reinsman Francois Lagadeuc.

Aforementioned Don Fanucci Zet was sixth and 47/1 Hussard du Landret (6m Bird Parker) was seventh. Honey Mearas and Etonnant were scratched and misque dq’s were Decoloration, Idao de Tillard, Vernissage Grif, Delia du Pommereux and Vivid Wise As.

To watch the Prix d’Amerique replay, click here.

A collection of race and post-race celebration follow.

The race day was perfect, big crowd, Le Garde Republicaine performance, past Amerique champions on display and absolutely breathtaking racing, More to follow on the undercard.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H Hicks, for Harnesslink