by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent
Seven-year-old trotter Bird Parker, driven by Jean-Pierre Monclin, proved to be the strongest in the European marathon-race, the Prix de Paris raced over 4,150 meters or 2-5/8 miles at Vincennes Sunday afternoon (Feb. 25).

Gerard Forni photo
Bird Parker collects his fourth win a Group 1 race and boosts his bankroll to $2.2 million.
Bird Parker won followed by the mare, Belina Josselyn, driven by Jean Michel Bazire, while Briac Dark, driven by Matthieu Abrivard, was third.
Bird Parker was timed in 1.59.3 (mile rate).
The purse for the winner was $220,000 and Bird Parker, who took his 18th win from 66 races, now has earnings of $2.2 million.
This was Bird Parker’s fourth win in a Group 1 race.
Bird Parker, who is trained by Phillippe Allaire and owned by his sister, Elisabeth Allaire, is one of several successful offspring for Ready Cash and like his sire, he is at stud at the Haras de Bouttemont in Normandy.
Bird Parker stands for $10,000 per live foal. His first crop will hit the racetracks later in this year.