It may have taken four tries, but Swedish sensation Maharajah, perhaps one of the most touted trotters in Sweden since he first stepped on the track, has won the Prix d'Amerique at Vincennes in Paris, France in a mile rate of 1:58 for the 2,700 meter race over a sloppy track.
The Prix highlights the European belief in stakes races leaning towards older horses as the race was restricted to 4-10 year old stallions.
One thing I love about the Prix d'Amerique is the way they start the race without a starting gate; similar to the way steeplechase horses start races in the United States. Also favorable is the fact 18 horses started the race which provides for more wagering opportunities and greater payoffs. Let it be noted that for all practical purposes, all 18 horses started on the front row with the standing start being used. Of course, a large field like this could not compete in a mile race and there a re few in North America willing to change the way things are done so while the Prix d'Amerique is standardbred racing's greatest spectacle in the world, there is no way I see us emulating this in the United States and for that we are poorer..
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