by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

The 5-year-old French trotter Bold Eagle was in a class of his own on Sunday in the Prix d’Amerique, winning in a new stakes record of 1:54.4 (mile rate) – the old record was 1:55.4.

Bold Eagle, driven by Franck Nivard, was eased from the start but after a half-mile Nivard made his move and directed Bold Eagle alongside leading Timoko with Swedish driver Björn Goop.

Bold Eagle took over, but was immediately attacked by Up and Quick and driver Jean Michel Bazire – last year’s winner of the Prix d’Amerique.

Franck Nivard controlled the race as Up and Quick faded before the last quarter and Akim du Cap Vert, with driver Franck Anne moved up on the outside. Smkim du Cap Vert also faded giving racing room to Timoko, who had enjoyed a pocket trip behind Bold Eagle.

The Swedish-owned, Oasis Bi driven by Pierre Vercruysse, came with a late burst but Nivard pulled the earplugs on Bold Eagle with 200 yards to go and went on to win by a length in 1:54.4 (mile rate) – the distance 1-1/16 mile. Bold Eagle’s time lowered the race record by a full second.

Bold Eagle is sired by Ready Cash, who won the Prix d’Amerique twice – in 2011 and 2012.

It has been more than 80 years since another winner of the Prix d’Amerique sired a winner of the race. His dam is sired by Love You – the reigning champion sire in France and in fact, the whole world.

Bold Eagle, who is owned by a syndicate, stood stud last year and had a full book of 100 Franch mares – plus 40+ foreign owned mares, His stud fee is 15,000 Euros which is approximately $16,000.

Bold Eagle, who is trained by Sebastian Guarato, could race again in a week in the Prix de France at Vincennes, a race over 2,100 meters. It is not likely that he will go to the Elitlopp in Sweden in May.