by Ashley Mayotte, WEG communications

Campbellville, ON — Trainer Fabrice Souloy has brought one of his top trotting mares from France to compete against North America’s top older trotters, hoping he can capture the 59th edition of the Maple Leaf Trot this Saturday (July 23) at Mohawk Racetrack.

As the only mare in the classic, Premiere Steed is the third richest trotter in the field with $1,661,731 in earnings. She also holds the title of the world’s fastest mare on a five-eighths-mile track with a 1:52 victory set in the 2009 edition of the St. Michel at Mikkeli, Finland.

After a slight delay at the airport and two days of travelling from France, the mare landed in Canada last Thursday evening. She finished fifth in her North American debut in the Maple Leaf Trot prep less than two days later. Souloy feels she raced well for being a little fatigued, but expects a better performance from his trotter in the C$730,000 final.

“She was good, but a little tired. She didn’t sleep too much,” said the top French trainer from his home in Ginai. “Now she has been here one week. She can be relaxed for the week and jog with me. I think she can be much better Saturday.”

Souloy welcomes the change in location for his mare and feels that competing in North America will allow her to develop as she can now race on Lasix. In France, horses are not allowed to race on Lasix whereas in North America, currently they can. In horses, Lasix is used to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.

The conditioner also says his pupil will sport new shoes for the rich final.

“Last Saturday she raced in heavy shoes, this Saturday she will wear very, very light shoes,” he said in a thick French accent.

Although the 8-year-old daughter of Workaholic has class and speed, she was not the conditioner’s first choice to bring to Mohawk.

“I wanted to come with Commander Crowe,” said Souloy. “He is such a good trotter in Europe, but he is not a good traveller. It’s not so easy with quarantine and with the airport. I am a little afraid to bring him to Canada. He has enough money to take in Europe so I decided to go with Premiere Steed.”

Souloy will be making his second attempt at a Maple Leaf Trot victory. In 2008, he sent Improve As postward. His trotter had a third-place finish in his elim and was seventh in the final, which was won by Arch Madness who will be one of Premiere Steed’s competitors.

Souloy admits there are a few in the field he is worried about and drawing post position eight won’t make it easy.

“San Pail, Lucky Jim and Arch Madness, but after those three it’s open,” he said.

Both Souloy and Premiere Steed will be looking to add a Maple Leaf Trot victory to already impressive resumes.

The Maple Leaf Trot is the seventh race and is scheduled for 9:21 p.m. (EDT).

Here is the field for the 2011 edition of the classic: 1. Il Villaggio-Jody Jamieson; 2. Hot Shot Blue Chip-David Miller; 3. Enough Talk-Mark MacDonald; 4. Define The World-Paul MacDonell; 5. Arch Madness-Brian Sears; 6. Four Starz Speed-Scott Zeron; 7. Triumphant Caviar-Luc Ouellette; 8. Premiere Steed-Sylvain Filion; 9. San Pail-Randy Waples; 10. Lucky Jim-Andy Miller.