by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Wishing Stone, who is part owned by Deo Volente Farm, TLP Stable and Jerry Silva, was in for a tough task at Vincennes, Paris, France on Sunday afternoon (June 19) in the Prix Rene Ballaire.

Last year’s winner of the Kentucky Futurity had to trot three wide around the last bend and going into the stretch he tired and finished unplaced.

Gerard Forni photo

Quaker Jet was a winner in a mile rate of 1:53.3.

The race, which was contested over the 1-5/16th mile distance, was won by the favorite Quaker Jet, driven by Jean Etienne Dubois, who just managed to catch Quilon du Chatelet with Franck Nivard down the stretch, while Perlando, driven by Jos. Verbeeck, finished third.

Quaker Jet was timed in 1:53.3 (mile rate) and the purse for the winner was $142,500.

Quaker Jet is a 7-year-old trotter who has blossomed this year. He has three wins in his last four races, and together with the gelding Rapide Lebel he must be considered the best French trotter at present; well in fact, in all of Europe, too.

So far Quaker Jet hasn’t raced outside France, but according to the French newspaper Paris Turf he might race in the Swedish mile race, the Abergs Memorial, at Jägersro in late July.

Wishing Stone will definitely have his next race in Sweden, as he will be entered in the Swedish Hambletonian — the Sprintermästaren at Halmstad — with a purse for the winner of 100,000 Euro. It will be raced in early July.

Sunday was one of the biggest days in French racing at Vincennes. The total prize money for the nine races contested was $1.8 million. The richest race was the Prix du President de la Republique — an under saddle race for 4-year-old trotters over 1-3/4 miles — as the total purse was $350,000. This race was won by 25-1 shot Tango Quick, with Franck Nivard up. Tango Quick was timed in 2:00 (mile rate).