by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

The French trotting star Timoko, driven by Björn Goop, returned to racing after a four month rest with a victory on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 16) at the track in the French town of Agen.

Gerard Forni photo

Bird Parker (on the outside) was first past the post, before being disqualified for interference.

However, Timoko was not first past the post, but was handed the race after Bird Parker, driven by Jean Michel Monclin, who was first past the post, was placed second because of interference down the stretch against Timoko.

Timoko was leading all the way, but around the last corner Bird Parker came up to attack him. Down the stretch it could have gone either way. However, Bird Parker, who had his head in front, drifted towards Timoko. The judges foundthat Bird Parker had prevented Timoko from advancing inside and awarded Timoko the race, worth $100,000.

Timoko, who is the richest active trotter in France with 4,246,538 Euro, is trying to outdo Ready Cash, who earned 4,282,300 Euro and is the richest French trotter ever.

It seems very likely that Timoko will go past Ready Cash in the upcoming Winter meeting at Vincennes, which starts on Nov. 2.