by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

A field of 18 trotters — 16 French, one Italian and one Swedish bred — will compete in Europe’s most prestigious trotting race, the Prix d’Amerique, at Vincennes in Paris on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 30).

The total purse is $1.35 million, making the race the world’s second richest trotting race. Only the Hambletonian has a higher purse.

Eight mares are ready to compete in this year’s edition of the race, but history shows that they’re in for a tough task. A mare has not won the race since the great Moni Maker in 1999.

The favorite is the 6-year-old French trotter Ready Cash, with Franck Nivard in the bike, but there’s lot of faith in the Swedish trotter Maharajah, with Ôrjan Kihlström, who recently won the Prix de Belgique in a new race record.

The defending champion, Oyonnax with Sebastian Ernault, is also one of the favorites.

Startlist – Prix d’Amerique 2011 – 1-15/16th miles
1. Severino – Christian Bigeon
2. New des Landes – Sebastian Hardy
3. Private Love – Mathieau Abrivard
4. Roc Meslois – Pierre Belloche
5. Oasis Gedé – Jean Michel Bazire
6. Paris Haufor – Damien Bonne
7. Nuit Torride – Bernard Piton
8. Quarla – Pierre Vercruysse
9. Perlando – Jos. Verbeeck
10. Quaker Jet – Jean Etienne Dubois
11. Orlando Sport – Sebastian Baude
12. Lana del Rio (IT) – Santo Mollo
13. Maharajah (SWE) – Ôrjan Kihlström
14. Premiere Steed – Enrico Bellei
15. Ready Cash – Franck Nivard
16. Oyonnax – Sebastian Ernault
17. Nouba du Saptel – Yves Dreux
18. Olga du Biwetz – Eric Raffin

Note: Horses in bold are mares.