by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

It looked like the French trotter Ready Cash, with trainer-driver Thierry Duvaldestin, was in for a very easy task in the Grand Prix ”La Voix du Nord” over the 1-11/16th mile distance on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 18) at The Lacroise-Laroche in the French Province.

In the betting Ready Cash was a heavy favorite as he was 1-10.

Gerard Forni photo

Sanity was a winner in 1:59.1.

But Sanity, a 6-year-old Swedish trotter driven by Franck Ouvrie, was in command from the start and when Duvaldestin behind Ready Cash made his move going into the stretch, Sanity fought back and won easily by two lengths in 1:59.1 (mile rate). Ready Cash came second and was timed in 1:59.3.

Sanity, who was 17-1 in the betting, picked up $60,000 for the win.

Malin Löfgren trains him, and just like last year, Sanity will race in the famous Vintermeeting at Vincennes, which will start in early November.

However, as a gelding, he is not allowed to race in the big Grand Prix races like the Prix d’Amerique.