by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The Prix de Paris, over the 2-5/8th mile distance at Vincennes on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 20), was an easy task for the Swedish trotter Maharajah with Ôrjan Kihlström in the bike.

Gerard Forni photo

Maharajah was a winner on Sunday in the Prix de Paris.

The Prix de Paris is the third leg of the French Triple Crown for elder trotters; the two first are the Prix d’Amerique and the Prix de France.

The first two legs were won by Ready Cash, but he has now gone to stud and will not return to racing before September. Maharajah had finished second to Ready Cash in the Prix d’Amerique and the Prix de France.

Maharajah was the heavy favorite in the Prix de Paris, which had a purse of $240,000 to the winner.

Kihlström was easy on Maharajah from the start, but made his move after a mile. Well in front Kihlström controlled the race and though Oyonnax finished strong on the outside, Maharajah was an easy winner by a length in 2:01.4 (mile rate). Oyonnax finished second, while Quilon du Chatelet held on for third just ahead of Quaker Jet.

With Sunday’s purse Maharajah has earned $800,000 in his four races at Vincennes in January and February.

The Prix de Paris was first raced in 1965 at a distance of approximately 2 miles; in 1994 the distance was extended to 2-5/8th miles.

Just once has a trotter managed to win this French Triple Crown of the Prix d’Amerique, Prix de France and Prix de Paris. That was the great Bellino II in 1976.