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Davidson du Pont waited a long time before coming on in the stretch for 21-year-old driver Nicolas Bazire in winning the 1,000,000€ Prix d’Amérique Legend Race Sunday at the Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes. He finished 4th in 2019 before being a silver medalist twice in 2020 and 2021 behind the big absentee of this edition Face Time Bourbon.
Holding a big lead as the field of 18 started down the stretch, it was the 15-1 Galius, with driver Yoann Lebourgeois who looked to grab the victory, but Davidson du Pont still had enough resources to win by a nose.
Nicolas Bazire didn’t really believe in his sulky that he had won but yes, it was he, at only 21 years old, who would win the biggest and richest harness race in the world, becoming the youngest winner of the Prix d’Amérique Legend Race.
At the time of the victory, he told Laurent Bruneteau: “It’s a dream when I was just a young kid, it’s the most beautiful day of my life. It’s the first time I’ve done something faster than my father!” Not without humor, Nicolas Bazire refers to his father Jean-Michel who said: “It’s funny to see the kid on the highest step of the podium.” Galius finished second ahead of Flamme du Goutier, a good finisher and who thus completed eight days of high level after winning the Prix de Cornulier last week.
Davidson du Pont is 9 years old by Pacha du Pont-Laguna du Pont and represents the colors of the Écurie Rayon led by Jean-Yves, the grandfather of Nicolas Bazire. Here he won the fifth Group I of his career after winning the Prix de France in 2020, and in 2018 the Prix de Sélection, de l’Étoile and Critérium des 5 Ans. He went off at 3.9/1 odds Sunday.
The final time of 1’11”3 in mileage reduction places this edition as the 4th fastest in history.
To watch the replay of the race, click here.
Isoard Vedaquais (4m Bird Parker-Dokha Vedaquaise) at 1.3/1 odds won the Gr. I World Cup 4Ans (purse 300,000€, 2700 meters) with Eric Raffin for trainer/owner Philippe Allaire and breeder J-P Guay. This was his 13th career victory good for 405,610€ earned. He had a 9-1-0 slate in 10 starts in 2021. Race time was 1.12.4kr.
The 11/1 Idao de Tillard (4m Severino-America de Tillard rallied for second with Clement Duvaldestin up for trainer Thierry Duvaldestin and owner Cyril Sevestre. Third home was 16/1 pocket sitter Callmethebrfeeze (4m Trixton-Gilly LB) for Andrea Guzzinati and owner/trainer Philippe Allaire.
Havanaise (5f Ricimer-Version Philo) won the Gr. I World Cup 5Ans (purse 300,000€, 2700 meters) clocked in 1.12.4kr with Franck Nivard up for trainer F.P. Bossuet and Ecurie Tenor. Off at 7.3/1 odds the winner secured her seventh career victory now for 490,210€ earned.
The even-money choice Hooker Berry (5m Booster Winner-Osaka Berry) was second for trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire and owner Michel Aldenise. Third was 13/1 Helgafell (5m Charly du Noyer) with David Thomain teaming for trainer Philippe Allaire and Ecurie Normandy Spirit.
From LeTrot and Thomas H Hicks
