by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The top French trotter Ready Cash, who won the 2011 Prix d’Amerique, returned to action on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 5) at the French province track in Angers. It was his first start since February.

Gerard Forni photo

Ready Cash was a winner in a mile rate of 1:59.4.

Ready Cash had to trail the field by 25 meters in the Grand Prix Anjou-Maine, raced at a distance of approximately two miles, but that was never a problem for the 6-year-old trotter, who seemed to be more relaxed during the race than in earlier starts.

Trainer/driver Thierry Duvaldestin secured Ready Cash a good trip second over and made his move going into the stretch.

Rolling d’Heripre, driven by Mathieu Abrivard, gave Ready Cash a match down the stretch, but Ready Cash proved to be the strongest and won by a length in 1:59.4 (mile rate). The purse for the winner was $65,000.

Ready Cash might have his next race on October 20 in the Grand Prix de la Ville Caen in Normandy, before he will race in the prestigious winter meeting at Vincennes in Paris.