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The Crowning of a new Champion!
The Prix d'Amérique Legend Race (G1) is the feature race of the French trotting calendar. Eighteen of the top horses from across Europe will compete to enter their name in the history books alongside recent greats such as Face Time Bourbon and Bold Eagle. We look in-depth at each runner...
Hip Hop Haufor
Qualified with a win in November in the Prix de Bretagne (G2) over course and distance. Disappointed in three qualifiers since and would need to bounce back to best form.
Horsy Dream
Chasing a fifth straight victory. Impressed with a success in the Prix Tenor du Baune (G1) against own age group and replicated in the Prix de Belgique (G2) two weeks ago against older horses. Hard to fault on recent form although barefoot record is only one win from four.
Hussard De Landret
Qualified with a second in the Prix de Bourbonnais (G2) in December. Unplaced in two qualifiers since and course/distance record is relatively poor compared to rivals.
Ampia Mede Sm
Consistent performer at the top level and not to be dismissed lightly. Placed on last three starts including in the Prix de Bretagne (G2) over this track and trip. Place chance.
Decoloration
Rewarded connections for commitment when automatically qualifying at the fourth time of asking with a second in the Prix de Belgique (G2). Would need to step up to win.
Idao De Tillard
Has some of the best form on offer in the field with recent wins in the Prix de Croix (G2) and Criterium Continental (G1) five weeks ago. Never finished out of the top three in this shoeing combination (14 runs) and unable to go barefoot. Likely to finish in the placings although may be susceptible to a barefoot runner in the closing stages. Worthy favourite.
Honey Mearas
Top Scandinavian runner with wins in the Stl Stoeliten Fors (G1) and Derbystoet 2021 (G1). Seventh in the Prix Tenor du Baune (G1) on sole French start. Potential dark horse with improvement possible.
Italiano Vero
Unexposed barefoot with a win and a second from two runs. Mixed form in recent outings but cannot be ruled out based on Criterium des 4 Ans (G1) win in September. Not to be dismissed.
Hooker Berry
Winner of the Prix de Bourbonnais (G2) in mid-December. Last seen finishing fourth in the Prix de Belgique (G2) and has ability to feature in the finish if producing best. Racing barefoot can make a difference.
Moni Viking
Returned to France for a warm-up run in the Prix de Belgique (G2) and finished 4L eighth. Scandinavian form is strong and managed a close third in last season's Prix de Paris Marathon Race (G1). DQ in this event twelve months ago.
Hohneck
Gained automatic qualification with a third in the Prix de Belgique (G2). Racing consistently (four placings from last six outings) including a second in the Championnat Europeen des 5 Ans (G1) in October. Capable of a big run with an excellent barefoot record.
Vernissage Grif
Winner of the 2022 Gran Premio Lotteria Finale (G1) in Italy. Produced a sixth and seventh in qualifiers and cannot be entirely dismissed if finding best form.
Don Fanucci Zet
Winner of over a million euros in Scandinavia with victories in the Minneslopp (G1) and Open Forsok 3 Final Solvalla (G1). Could only manage seventh in the Prix de Bourgogne (G2) in 2022 on sole French start but has produced far better performances since. Dark horse.
Flamme du Goutier
Finished third in this contest twelve months ago. Looking to be the first horse to complete Cornulier/Amerique double since 2005. Recorded back-to-back wins in mounted Prix du Cornulier (G1) last week. Gained automatic qualification with a second in Prix de Bourgogne (G2). Top horse with the ability to feature in the finish.
Cokstile
Winner of a qualifier last season and was successful at Yonkers International in the United States in October but overall form has been patchy. Unlikely to threaten.
Delia du Pommereux
Surprise winner of the Prix de Bourgogne (G2) which was a return to form. Veteran campaigner who is capable of getting involved but likely to be outrun by younger upcoming horses.
Etonnant
Sets the form standard after a 2022 win in the Elitloppet (G1) and has fought out many finishes with re-opposing Vivid Wise As at the top level in the past year. Not shown same level of form since returning from the United States for the Yonkers International and preparation has been interrupted due to illness.
Vivid Wise As
Fourth in this race twelve months ago. Only given one run during the Vincennes Winter Meeting when eighth in the Prix du Bourbonnais (G2). Winner of the Prix Rene Balliere (G1) and Prix de l'Atlantique (G1) in 2022. Course and distance form would be a concern (0 from four) although perhaps not reflective of recent form.