by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA News Correspondent

Prix d’Amerique-winner Bold Eagle will race in the Prix Rene Balliere at Vincennes Sunday (June 26) afternoon, but it will not be Franck Nivard in the bike as usual. Instead it will be Eric Raffin.

Bold Eagle and Franck Nivard are already a legend in French trotting, but the reason why the pair splits after 17 races is that Nivard has been stood down by the judges at Vincennes for an uncertain time.

Nivard was to drive at Vincennes Friday (June 17), but just before the first race on the card, he felt ill and had to pass his drives to others. However, the judges at Vincennes are not satisfied with the explanation Nivard gave and have suspended him until further notice. After a meeting between Nivard, his lawyer and the judges Tuesday (June 21) afternoon, a ruling was awaited, but so far nothing has been released on the matter.

Sunday (June 25) is a very big day at Vincennes, with no less than four Group 1 races with the total purses of all ten races totaling $1.45 million. The richest race is the under saddle contest, the Prix du President de la Republique, which is worth $265,000. In the Prix Rene Balliere, where Bold Eagle is the favorite, the total purse is $225,000.

Bold Eagle has drawn post position seven.