Harness: Field taking shape for Prix d'Amerique at Vincennes

The final qualifier for the January 29 Prix d'Amerique at Vincennes Racetrack took place on January 15 with three horses earning tickets for the 1,000,000 Euros race. With likely favorite Calgary Games pulled from the race, Horsy Dream won his second preliminary and another uneeded ticket.

"He is an extraordinary horse, he was able to win easily today when he was not unshod," driver Eric Raffin told LeTrot. "However, he deserves to be preserved because he is only beginning his career. He will have logical ambitions to finish in the top three of the Prix d'Amérique Legend Race, but you have to keep a cool head."

Hirondelle Sibey finished second and would've gained a spot in the Prix d'Amerique but was disqualified, allowing stablemate Decoloration to get the place spot despite a fourth-place finish. He got moved up twice because Gu d'Heripre was also disqualified from third. The double-disqualification bumped Hohneck to the podium and earned him a coveted spot in the 2700-meter race on the final Sunday of January.

The 12 competitors which have earned a spot in the Prix d’Amérique are as follows:

Hip Hop Haufor (Won Qualifier #1)

Italiano Véro (Second Qualifier #1)

Ampia Mede Sm (Third Qualifier #1 & Third Qualifier #5)

Hooker Berry (Won Qualifier #2)

Hussard du Landret (Second Qualifier #2)

Etonnant (Third Qualifier #2)

Idao de Tillard (Won Qualifier #3)

Horsy Dream (Won Qualifier #4 & Won Qualifier #6)

Délia du Pommereux (Won Qualifier #5)

Flamme du Goutier (Second Qualifier #5)

Decoloration (Second Qualifier #6)

Hohneck (Third Qualifier #6)

The Prix d'Amerique includes 18 participants and the six remaining places will go to the horses with the most winnings among those entered. Currently that would include: Callmethebreeze, Moni Viking, Vernissage Grif, Don Fanucci Zet, Cokstile and Vivid Wise As. In the event of the defection of one of them, Hirondelle Sibey, Elvis du Vallon or Mister F Daag would move up the list.

Final entries are due noon (French time) Thursday, January 26.

[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]