The Prix de France on Sunday (Feb. 12) at Vincennes was won by the Italian mare Ampia Mede Sm with Franck Nivard in the bike and trained by Fabrice Souloy.

Ampia Mede Sm, a 7-year-old Italian mare sired by Ganymede, finished second in the Prix d’Amerique after she had found racing room too late.

In the Prix de France, Franck Nivard was very aggressive and with five-eighths of a mile to go he placed Ampia Mede Sm outside leading Don Fanucci Zet with Ôrjan Kihlström.

Nivard controlled the race and despite Vivid Wise As with Matthieu Abrivard, who won the race last year, coming close, down the stretch Ampia Mede Sm won by a half-length in 1:52 (mile rate). Vivid Wise As was second, thus making it an Italian double, while French trotter Hohneck finished third.

Hooker Berry, who won the Prix d’Amerique, finished seventh.

North American bred Beads with Jean Michel Bazire was in with a chance going around the last bend, but went off stride and was disqualified.

The purse for the winner was 180,000 Euro.