After the Prix de Bourgogne, (the race which is quite rightly considered as the best indicator for the Prix d’Amérique Opodo) the verdict is back: It’s a “no” for Ready Cash, who will now be heading off for a gilded retirement as a stud, after being disqualified at the beginning of the home straight. On the other hand; it’s a resounding “yes” for Solvato, the Scandinavian-trained American contender, who gave a top-drawer performance. Apart from these two certainties the whole event is surrounded by indecision as many of the champions fared badly in the final phase.
This was the case particularly for the American Maven, who has been much talked about over the last few days. She got stuck on the inside track and had to watch her old compatriot rocket off down the course while she struggled to separate herself from the pack. There were misfortunes in store for Texas Charm as well, who committed a fault as he ran in the wake of Ready Cash and also, surprisingly, for Kadett C.D. who ended up slaloming. Up And Quick and Tiégo d’Etang were hardly any luckier but managed to extract themselves from sticky situations and crossed the line at the same time. They drew for second place behind Solvato, who was driven by the Prix d’Amérique title-holder, the Swedish Orjän Kihlström (photo). After debuting in the United States, this 5-year-old trotter pulled off a great performance in Scandinavia in the springtime and had just made a convincing start in France, coming third in the Prix du Bourbonnais. Thanks to the points he’s accumulated in the “4Bs” he has won his entrance ticket for the big day.
The last time an American horse won at Vincennes it was 15 years ago. The horse was called Moni Maker and she won none other than the Prix d’Amérique.
