Sam Moteur with trainer/driver Björn Goop won the Prix du Bourbonnais in a narrow finish Sunday afternoon (Dec. 10) at Vincennes followed by the French trotters Izard Vedaquais and Gu d’Heripre; those three are now qualified to race in the Prix d’Amerique.

San Moteur — the name is French and means without engine — is the biggest Swedish hope for the Prix d’Amerique and he certainly does not live up to the name. San Moteur is a handy and strong trotter who has won 20 races from 29 starts and has lifetime earnings of $1.2 million.

San Moteur was favored to win at Vincennes, but a brave Izard Vedaquais with David Thomain and 92-1 longshot Gu d’Heripre came very close at the finish line. San Moteur was timed in 1:55.4 (mile rate); the distance was 1-3/4 miles.

Besides the first three finishers from Sunday, Hooker Berry, who finished fifth, and Hussard du Landry and Hokkaido Jiel, who both were unplaced Sunday, are qualified for the Prix d’Amerique.

Etonnant, who has raced in the International Trot at Yonkers the last two years, was again a disappointment and finished unplaced. His future career is in danger.