by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Two big stakes races were contested in Europe Sunday afternoon (July 8). In France the best trotters met at the mile track at La Capelle, situated near the Belgium border, and in Norway the action was in Jarlsberg south of Oslo.

Bold Eagle was the heavy favorite in France in a race over the mile with a purse for the winner of $55,000 and Bold Eagle was again in a class of his own as he easily won in 1:54, followed by Un Mec d’Heripre and Billie de Montfort.

This was win number 41 from 54 races for Bold Eagle.

In Norway the Ulf Thoresen Grand International over the 1-5/16th mile distance with a purse for the winner of $100,000 was won by the Swedish trotter Diamanten, driven by Erik Adielsson.

Diamanten, trained by legendary Stig H. Johansson, was in command the whole trip and won in 1:54.1f, followed one length behind by Trendy OK of Italy and Rajesh Face of Sweden.

On the undercard the 4-year-old USA-bred mare, Waffle Cone, driven by Erik Adielsson, won in a very impressive style in 1:52.2f. This was the fastest time ever in Norway by a mare.

Waffle Cone was sired by Muscle Hill and out of Sugar Cone and was bred by Concord Stud Farm, Susan Berry, Julie Meirs and Kaitlyn Meirs.