by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

One of the biggest races for French bred trotters, The Criterium des 4 Ans, was raced Saturday afternoon (May 4) at Vincennes and was won by Voltigeur de Myrt, driven by Dominik Locqueneux.

The Criterium des 4 Ans was raced over the 1-11/16th mile distance and had a total purse of $315,000 and a winner’s share of $140,000. Geldings are excluded from the race.

Voltigeur de Myrt has developed into a top class trotter this year and had won two of the last three prep races leading up to the Criterium.

Dominik Locqueneux managed to give his trotter a good trip, sitting three over in the field of 18 trotters. Around the last bend he made his move and Voltigeur de Myrt won handily in 1:57.3 (mile record), three fractions slower than the race record held by Timoko.

Second was Volcan d’Urzy, driven by Jean Phillippe Dubois, as second favorite Varade d’ermine with Franck Nivard went off stride just before the finish line and was disqualified and placed last. A costly error as the purse for second place was $80,000.

Voltigeur de Myrt has a very interesting pedigree, as he has no less than three winners of the Prix d’Amerique in his immediate family. His sire, Opus Viervil, is by Jag de Bellouet and his dam is by Tenor de Baune and out of Dryade de Bois.