by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent
French trotting star Bold Eagle, driven by Franck Nivard, returned to action at Vincennes Sunday afternoon (Dec. 10) in the second qualification for the Prix d’Amerique as a heavy favorite, but had to settle for second.
Bird Parker driven by Jean Philippe Monclin went round Bold Eagle down the stretch to win the 1-3/4 mile Prix du Bourbonnais handily in 1.56.2 (mile rate). Bold Eagle finished second and Italian trotter Ringostarr Treb, driven by Gabrielle Gelormini, was third.
The first three finishers advanced to the Prix d’Amerique.
Bird Parker, who just like Bold Eagle is sired by Ready Cash, had not won a race at Vincennes since June 2015.
The next qualifying race, the Prix de Bourgogne, takes place on Dec. 31.