by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

French trotting star Bold Eagle, driven by Franck Nivard, had to find everything he had to hold off a late charge by Bellina Josselyn, driven by Jean Michel Bazire, in the Group 1-race, Prix de l’Atlantique at Enghien. The facility is one of two harness racing tracks in Paris, France.

Bold Eagle was in command early and it was just at the last quarter something really happened in the race.

It turned into a super-sprint.

Bellina Josselyn challenged Bold Eagle and at one point it seemed that the mare had an advantage, but when Nivard asked Bold Eagle to give him a little more speed, Bold Eagle responded and won the 1-5/16 mile event by a half-length in 1.58.2 (mile rate).

The purse for the winner was 90,000 Euro – or $110,000 USD.

Bold Eagle will not race again before the Elitlopp at Solvalla on May 27.