by Karsten Bønsdorf

Just like in the first prep race leading up to Europe’s biggest trotting race, the Prix d’Amerique, it was a mare who was first past the wire in the second prep race, the Prix du Bourbonnais Saturday afternoon at Vincennes, and again it was a mare trained by Fabrice Souloy.

24-1 shot Private Love, with Mathieu Abrivard in the sulky, was a game winner by a length followed by the favorite, Qwerty with owner and trainer Pierre Levesque, while a fast finishing Nuit Torride with Bernard Piton finished third.

The Prix du Bourbonnais was raced over 1-3/4 mile for trotters who had earned more than $1.4 million trailing the field by 25 meters.

The Swedish entry, Nu Pagadi with Erik Adielsson, was prominent most of the race, but down the stretch the chestnut trotter faded and finished seventh.

Mathieu Abrivard gave Private Love a good trip and made his move around the last corner, and though Qwerty – after some problems in the beginning of the race – came up to challenge down the stretch, Private Love was never really threatened. She was timed in 1:59.4 (mile rate). This was her first victory since she won the Prix de Paris in February.

Private Love is a 7-year-old mare who is owned by Count H. D’Ornano, who paid no less than 450,000 Euro – or $600,000 – for her four years ago.

She is sired by Goetmals Wood – one of the leading stallions in France out of Amour d’Aunou – she by Speedy Somolli. Amour d’Aunou is one of the best broodmares in France and is the dam of the successful stallion, In Love with You and granddam of Love You, the world’s most expensive trotting stallion.

Private Love has raced 63 times and won 10 races, including yesterday’s purse to the winner of $75,000. She now has lifetime earnings of $850,000.

Her stable mate, Olga du Biwets, who won the first prep race a fortnight ago, had to trail the field by 25 meters and finished unplaced.

Oyonnax (sired by In Love With You) who won the Prix d’Amerique this year, also trailed the field by 25 meters, and made a good impression, finishing fifth timed in 1.59 (mile rate).