Sunday’s Prix de Belgique (Gr. II International, purse 120,000€, 2850 meters, ages 4-11 years) originally had 57 horses engaged, now down to 28, and tomorrow will likely have 18 in the final draw.
Several of the top candidates have dropped out of Belgique, Vivid Wise As due to a breathing problem, San Moteur due to a paddock injury that reported requires surgery and Etonnant due to ulcers. Several others have also become non-participants that raced in the Amerique last year, such as Horsy Dream and Hip Hop Haufor. Gu d’Heripre is also an np but he has already qualified.
Idao de Tillard (victorious in the Prix Tenor de Baune and a four time Gr. I winner) and Izoard Vedaquais (second in the Bourbonnais) remain in the engaged list with both having earned their spots in the Amerique Prize. Last year’s Amerique winner, Hooker Berry, is still a go on Sunday from the J.M. Bazire stable and former Yonkers International winner Cokstile remains on the list.
Le Trot, Paris-Vincennes files/photos-harness trots
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink