by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Vincennes is not only the name of Europe’s biggest harness racing track, it is also the name of a Swedish mare who on Sunday afternoon (May 3) won the prestigious Gran Premio Lotteria at the Agnano track in Naples, Italy.

But it was a very dramatic win, as Vincennes and her driver Roberto Andreghetti had to overcome an inquiry from the judges.

Gerard Forni photo

Vincennes survived an inquiry to win the Gran Premio Lotteria.

Some 100 yards before the finish Andreghetti took Vincennes out from the garden spot behind leading Mack Grace SM, but that was just a little bit too early. Chapeau, driven by Christophe Martens, who had been trotting outside Vincennes most of the trip, hit the sulky of Andreghetti and went off stride.

The judges let Vincennes keep the win; in most other countries in Europe she would have been disqualified and placed last for the interference.

However, Jean Philippe Izzo, who is the owner of Vincennes, was fined 21,840 Euro, which will be handed over to the owner of Chapeau as compensation. The amount is the same as the purse for finishing fourth in the race.

Roberto Andreghetti was stood down no less than 20 days for the incident.

The Gran Premio Lotteria was raced over the mile with three eliminations and a final.

Chapeau and Martens won the first elim in 1:55.3f, Vincennes with Andregetti took the second in 1:54.2f and Nesta Effe, driven by Roberto Vecchione, captured the third elim in 1:57f.

In the final Mack Grace SM, driven by Pietro Gubellini, was in command from the start. The 9-year-old trotter, who had won this race the last three years, was out trying to win a fourth time in a row, which would have been a race record. Vincennes followed him and on the outside Chapeau.

Some 100 yards before the finish, Chapeau tired, Andreghetti took Vincennes to the outside, hit the front legs of Chapeau, but went on to catch Mack Grace SM just before the finish to win the final in 1:55.3f. The purse for the winner was 167,440 Euro. Mack Graces SM finished second and Radiofreccia Fi third.

Vincennes is sired by Spotlite Lobell and is trained in France by Fabrice Souloy.