by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Speed is the name of the game at Europe’s biggest harness track, Vincennes in Paris, France. On Sunday afternoon (Dec. 23) the prestigious Criterium Continental for 4-year-old trotters, with a purse for the winner of $160,000 and raced over the 1-5/16th mile distance, was won by Un Mec d’Heripre, driven by Mathieu Abrivard in a new world record of 1:52.4 (mile rate). That’s a world record for 4-year-old trotters over the 1-5/16th mile distance.

Gerard Forni photo

The Criterium Continental was won by Un Mec d’Heripre.

Un Mec d’Heripre was in command most of the trip and was followed on the outside by Uhlan du Val, driven by Cedric Megissier, who held on bravely to finish second, beaten by a length.

Un Mec d’Heripre is trained by Fabrice Souloy, who is also the trainer of top well known international trotter Commander Crowe. Souloy is also the owner and breeder of Un Mec d’Heripre and stands his sire, Orlando Vici.

Un Mec d’Heripre has raced 14 times and has nine wins and earnings of $545,000.

The victory earned Un Mec d’Heripre a spot in the field in next month’s Prix d’Amerique, but Souloy still has to make his decision.