The favorite Belina Josselyn, driven by Jean Michel Bazire, was first past the post in the Prix de Belgique, but was disqualified and placed last.

Bird Parker was declared the winner of the Prix de Belgique when the first across the finish line, Belina Josselyn, was disqualified. Gerard Forni Photo.

The last qualifying race for the Prix d’Amerique, the Prix de Belgique, was raced Sunday afternoon (Jan. 13) at Vincennes, and was very dramatic as the winner, Belina Josselyn driven by trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire was disqualified and placed last.

It was an incident on the final turn, where Belina Josselyn was sitting in the pocket behind leading Bird Parker, who led to the disqualification.

On that turn, Bazire took his mare to the outside, in front of the fading Valko Jenilat, and unfortunately, Bazire’s sulky hit the front legs of Valko Jenilat, who went off stride.

Belina Josselyn was full of trot down the stretch and won very easy followed by Bird Parker driven by Jean Philippe Monclin and the rank outsider, Bahia Quesnot driven by Junior Guelpa.

When Belina Josselyn was disqualified, Bird Parker, who is trained by Philippe Allaire, was awarded the win – he was also was the winner of this race last year.

Three entries to the Prix d’Amerique were up for grabs, but only two had to be handed out, as Bird Parker already had qualified in the first qualifying race, the Prix de Bretagne.

Bahia Quesnot, who finished third and Carat Williams, driven by David Thomain, each earned an invitation.

The defending Prix d’Amerique-winner, Readly Express of Sweden who was driven by Björn Goop, was taken very easy and finished fifth.

Following are the 11 trotters that are qualified for the Prix d’Amerique:

Davidson du Pont (Prix de Bretagne)
Delia du Pommereux (Prix de Bretagne)
Bird Parker (Prix de Bretagne)
Belina Josselyn (Prix du Bourbonnais)
Looking Superb (Prix Tenor de Baune)
Eridan (Criterium Continentale)
Bold Eagle (Prix de Bourgogne)
Readly Express (Prix de Bourgogne)
Uza Josselyn (Prix de Bourgogne)
Bahia Quesnot (Prix de Belgique)
Carat Williams (Prix de Belgique)

A total of 18 trotters are eligible to race in the Prix d’Amerique, which also includes the seven trotters with the highest earnings who will fill out the remaining spots.