by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Brillantissime, driven by Pierre Vercruysse, won the prestigious Gran Premio Continentale in Bologna on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20) — a victory worth $98,500.

Gerard Forni photo

Brillantissime won the prestigious Gran Premio Continentale.

Gran Premio Continentale is one of the biggest international trotting races for 4-year-old trotters in Italy and is raced at the half-mile track in Bologna. The distance was 1-5/16th miles and a field of 11 trotters were entered in the race.

Among them was Hillustrious and Vanity Matters — both bred in the United States, but now owned and trained in Sweden.

Hillustrious, driven by Johnny Takter, was the co-favorite, but went off stride going around the first corner and finished unplaced. Vanita Matters had a difficult task racing from the outside post and also finished unplaced.

Brillantissime (sired by Ready Cash) with Pierre Vercruysse in the bike took command as the gate left the field and stayed there to win by a length followed by the Italian mare Smeralda Jet, with Antonio di Nardo, who enjoyed a pocket trip. The winner was timed in 1:57.2h (mile rate).

Sunday’s winnings of $98,500 makes Brillantissime the richest 4-year-old French male trotter with earnings of $903,000. The mare, Billie de Montfort, is tops among all trotters with $1.06 million.

Brillantissime, trained by Philippe Allaire, has been at stud this spring standing for $11,000 live foal.

Sundance Bi, driven by Giampaolo Minnucci, won the mares division worth $26,000 in 1:57.3h.