The 6-year-old French trotter Izoard Vedaquais (sired by Bird Parker), trained by Philippe Allaire and with Benjamin Rochard driving, won the prestigious Prix des Ducs de Normandie at the track in Caen, Normandy, in a new race record of 1:53 (mile rate).

The distance was approximately 1-1/2 miles and the purse for the winner was 67,500 Euro.

The race was very dramatic at the start as it took around 13 minutes before the field of 16 trotters was off. There was a lot of fuss at the start and no less than fire recalls. Five drivers were handed fines and suspensions for several days.

The race favorite was Idao de Tillard with Clement Duvaldestin, who earlier this year won the Prix d’Amerique, Prix de France and Prix de Selection and now is heading to the Elitlopp. However, Idao de Tillard had a tough race and had to settle for third after Izoard Vedaquais and Gasper de Brion. Another trotter heading to the Elitlopp at Solvalla in a fortnight, Hohneck with Gabriele Gelormini, finished fourth.

And speaking of the Elitlopp, two more trotters have been invited to race: from Italy the winner of the Gran Premio Lotteria, Capital Mail, and from Sweden, Borups Victory, who yesterday won the Gold division at Umaaker.

On the same card, Joviality with Erik Adielsson won a stake race for 5-year-old trotters handily and she is also en route to the Elitlopp.