by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The 10-year-old Meaulnes du Corta, driven by Pierre Levesque, was an easy winner of the Prix de France at Vincennes on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 14).

For the second consecutive year, Meaulnes du Corta managed to win the Prix de France, contested at the 1-5/16th mile distance in Paris, France with a total purse of $525,000.

Mark Kendell photo

Meaulnes du Corta and Pierre Levesque were easy winners in the Prix de France.

Pierre Levesque brought Meaulnes du Corta to the lead with five-eighths of a mile to go and in a hand drive Meaulnes du Corta won in 1:55.2 (mile rate).

Second past the post was the 5-year-old Rolling d’Heripre with Jean Michel Bazire in the bike; however, Rolling d’Heripre was disqualified and placed last because he was rough gaited going down the stretch. The purse for second — which is no less than $135,000 — thus went to the mare Premiere Steed, a daughter of Workaholic, he by Speedy Crown.

While Meaulnes du Corta won the race last year, with Pierre Vercruysse in the bike, it was the first victory as a driver for Pierre Levesque in the Prix de France.

For many years Levesque has been one of the leading trainer/drivers in France. After the victory Levesque said that he would like to try Meaulnes du Corta abroad and he mentioned specifically that he would love to race Meaulnes du Corta at a mile track in the United States!