The year 2000, for a large number of enthusiasts, are mainly the Varenne years. But other champions were there.
The transalpine champion, a real phenomenon for many observers, undoubtedly marked the decade of his great talent. But we should also note the advent of Jag de Bellouet, deprived of a second crown on green carpet, and that of Offshore Dream, double winner like Varenne, and first trotter to make 1’12”0 on the 2,700 m of the Prix d’Amérique.
2000: For the first Prix d’Amérique of the new century, it is a small horse with the uncommon footwork which breaks the screen and burns the track: General du Pommeau, answers to the very tough attack of the Italian crack Varenne, and flies in the last turn towards a resounding and very easy victory. He pulverized the course record becoming the first trotter to go below 1’13 ” (1’12”6).
2001: The scheduled revenge of last year’s protagonists took place: the “General” against “Il Capitano”, Italian nickname of Varenne. This time, the latter attack from afar, and General du Pommeau fails to raise the transalpine champion, losing even the second place at the end to the benefit of Fan Idol. Raised by Jean-Pierre Dubois, trained by a Finnish Jori Turja and driven by Italian Paolo Minucci, Varenne offers a new American Award to Italy long after Nike Hanover (1964). The following year, the Italian crack doubled the setting by attacking from a distance while General du Pommeau is stuck in the peloton. Despite a stunning end, the champion Jules Lepennetier has to settle for the second place clearly ahead of Insert Gédé.
2003: Everyone expects a confrontation between the resident of Yves Dreux Insert Gédé and the Swedish car of Stefan Melander Scarlet Knight arbitrated by General du Pommeau now 9 years old. In a pouring rain, it was finally Belgian witch Jos Verbeeck who surprised his rivals by succeeding in sprintering Abano As after being released from the rope, thus offering to Germany his unique Prix d’Amérique. Beaten with a breath, Insert Gédé consoles with the second place in front of Gigant Neo that drifted Jean-Michel Bazire.
2004: Jean-Michel Bazire, in the sulky of his resident Késaco Phédo, takes a brilliant revenge on Abano As, second, getting out of reach of the redoubtable final rush of the German trotter. Third by trotting long outside, Jag de Bellouet made an impression.
2005: Winner of the Prix de Cornulier at the trot monté a week earlier, Jag de Bellouet attacks at the bottom of the climb and imposes himself in force under the ferrule of his young driver Christophe Gallier. He is clearly ahead of Gigant Neo and competitor Jacques-Henri Treich, Ilster d’Espiens. This arrival of the first two, in this order, is exactly the same the following year, but Jag de Bellouet is disqualified from this victory a few weeks later, a banned product having been found in his body due to accidental contamination of a batch of vitamin C.
2007: 5 years old, and recent winner of the Criterium Continental allowing him to be at the start, Offshore Dream deposits his opponents in the last turn and goes towards an easy success. Only Kool du Caux manages to keep in touch, the coalition of Jean-Michel Bazire, Kazire de Guez, Kesaco Phédo and Jardy finishing in this order. The following year, the resident of Pierre Levesque, brought back by his companion of box Meaulnes du Corta, takes advantage in the finishing line and resists the good return of Scandinavian Opal Viking giving a double to the family Levesque in the Prix d’Amérique.
2009: Driven by a young driver in full ascension, Franck Nivard, Meaulnes du Corta, set in the lead as the descent, accelerates in the last turn and sows his opponents, finishing far ahead of others. First victory for Franck Nivard, but above all, a third consecutive Prix d’Amérique for his coach, Pierre Levesque who drives Offshore Dream (6th) that day.
(Source: Turfcom)
