101st Prix d`Amérique in Vincennes

Paris-Vincennes, Sunday, 29 January: The winter meeting on the Plateau de Gravelle culminates today with the Prix d`Amérique (7th race/16.25/1 million Euro/2700 m), which has the maximum number of 18 horses on paper, but has to cope with one non-runner due to the early withdrawal of Etonnant. Here are the participants according to their starting places

1 Hip Hop Haufor (Christian Bigeon): Won the first preliminary test in the Prix de Bretagne over the distance required today, did not make much of an appearance in three other appearances. His sire Up and Quick triumphed eight years ago.
2 Horsy Dream (Eric Raffin): Is described as a shooting star who is unbeaten in the current meeting and proved all doubters wrong by winning the Prix de Belgique.
3 Hussard du Landret (Benoit Robin): Ran his best race when second in the Prix du Bourbonnais and only ran at the back in other appearances.
4 Ampia Mede Sm (Franck Nivard): Always gives her best, but has not yet made her breakthrough at the highest level. Already last year she was considered to have a good chance for the `Amérique`, but then got lost in the qualification.
5 Decoloration (Gabriele Gelormini): Improved from start to start, should no longer be underestimated, has what it takes to run in the race.
6 Idao de Tillard (Clement Duvaldestin): Won the Critérium Continental and the Prix de Croix, but lacked sparkle recently. Attributed to his phlegm. Along with Italiano Vero, is the youngest competitor in the field.
7 Honey Mearas (Örjan Kihlström): Left everything to be desired in Prix Tenor de Baune, can really only benefit from his rider.
8 Italiano Vero (David Thomain: Was at least better in the Prix Octave Douesnel than Idao Tillard, who starts as favourite.
9 Hooker Berry (Jean-Michel Bazire): Easy winner in the Prix du Bourbonnais, fell short of expectations in the trainer`s hands a fortnight ago.
10 Moni Viking (Björn Goop): Showed good work performances. Does not get beyond the outsider role after finishing eighth in the Prix de Belgique.
11 Hohneck (Francois Lagadeuc): Last year`s fifth and currently a busy place money collector, who enjoyed his last success here in August in the Prix Louis Jariel against Hooker Berry, Hussard du Landret and Hip Hop Haufor among others.
12 Vernissage Grif (Alessandro Gocciadoro): Hasn`t made much of an appearance in France yet. His recommendation is the victory in the Gran Premio Lotteria over Vivid Wise As.
13 Don Fanucci Zet (Yoann Lebourgeois): Broke off the France campaign early last year after an unsuccessful effort in the Prix de Bourgogne. There is a big question mark behind him.
14 Flamme du Goutier (Theo Duvaldestin): Repeated his victory in the Prix du Cornulier a week ago. Showed twelve months ago when third in the `Amérique` that she is one of the really tough ones.
15 Cokstile (Vincenzo Piscuoglio Dell`Annunziata): Could not distinguish himself in the current meeting. Only last year`s triumph in the Prix de Bourgogne over Vivid Wise As speaks for him.
16 Delia du Pommereux (Pierre-Yves Verva): French `grande dame` who is now trusted with everything after her success over Flamme du Goutier.
18 Vivid Wise As (Matthieu Abrivard): Finished below value in the Prix du Bourbonnais. Since then, last year`s fourth place finisher has taken a break due to illness.