by Thomas Hedlund

The Fabrice Souloy-trained Ampia Mede SM (Ganymede) continued her strong meeting in Paris by winning the $420,000 Prix de Paris over 4,150 meters, establishing her position as the best mare in Europe at this moment.

Ampia Mede SM’s runner up finish behind Hooker Berry in the Prix d’Amérique was in some way proof of what would come in the two remaining Grand Prix-races at Vincennes during this winter meeting.

In the Prix de France, Ampia Mede SM bested her opponents via an outside leader trip and when the Prix de Paris was on Vincennes’ Sunday (Feb. 26) race card, driver Franck Nivard just had to trust his horse as he found a spot fourth over.

Her attack with cover, three wide, was made on the backstretch and Ampia Mede SM came in contact with leader Harlem du Bucy as the home stretch began.

Harlem du Bucy was the race’s least merited trotter but he held his pace strongly in front and really challenged the top horses that gathered at Vincennes that day. Ampia Mede SM proved to be best once again as she disarmed the leader with 100 meters to go and her meeting in Paris 2022-23 has been successful, to say the least. She’s the new queen of trotters in Europe, without a doubt.

The mile rate for Ampia Mede SM over 4,150 meters was moderate; 2:02.3. Harlem du Bucy was second and Prix d’Amérique winner Hooker Berry was third.

Prix de Paris replay.

END OF MEETING SATURDAY

Saturday (March 4) is the date for the end of Paris’ 2022-23 meeting and traditionally, the $255,000 Prix de Selection for 4-, 5- and 6-year-old trotters closes the gates of Vincennes for the season.

Harness racing fans’ eyes are directed towards Vincennes for several months every winter and the meeting’s end means that spring’s arrival in Europe is not far away.

Saturday’s edition of the Prix de Selection is a heavy one with many powerful horses starting over the distance of 2,175 meters where the 5- and 6-year-old trotters have a 25-meter disadvantage.

Eric Raffin, who was injured in a race some weeks ago, will be back in the bike behind his Prix d’Amérique weapon Horsy Dream.

PRIX DE SELECTION 2023

2,175 meters

Horse – Driver

1. Jaguar Wit – Matthieu Abrivard

2. Juliet Papa Bravo – Mathieu Mottier

3. Jag Stryck – Francois Lagadeuc

4. Joyner sport – David Thomain

5. Juninho Dry – Paul Philippe Ploquin

6. Jazzy Perrine -Alexandre Abrivard

2,200 meters

7. Instrumentaliste – Gabriele Gelormini

8. Heraut d’Armes – Jean-Michel Bazire

9. Idylle Speed – Franck Nivard

10. Horsy Dream – Eric Raffin

11. Idao de Tillard – Theo Duvaldestin

HÖITOMT, BEST IN NORWAY

Driver Eirik Höitomt became Norway’s winningest driver in history as he reached victory number 5,547 at Jarlsberg racetrack on Sunday (Feb. 26).

Höitomt, who passed Gunnar Eggen in wins, also claimed his 14th driving title in Norway in 2022, making him the all-time leader.