The French winter trotting season is in full swing, and the action is heating up at Vincennes Racecourse in Paris. With the prestigious Prix d'Amérique just around the corner, the first B-race is set to determine the next four qualifiers for the coveted event. Meanwhile, across Europe, top trotters are showcasing their skills in a series of high-stakes races, from Italy's Gran Premio Palio de Comuni to Sweden's Breeders Crown.

The Battle for Prix d'Amérique Spots Intensifies

The Prix de Bretagne, a $125,000 race over 2,700 meters, is the first B-race of the French winter season, offering four spots in the prestigious Prix d'Amérique. While some of the top French trotters, such as Horsy Dream and Idao de Tillard, are absent due to various reasons, the race still promises an exciting showdown. Swedish stars San Moteur and Don Fanucci Zet will face off against strong French contenders like Just A Gigolo, Emeraude de Bais, Hooker Berry, and Hussard du Landret. San Moteur, who qualified for the 2024 Prix d'Amérique but missed the race due to illness, is the probable favorite in this first B-race.

Gocciadoro Dominates in Italy

In Italy, the traditional $140,000 Gran Premio Palio de Comuni was held in Montegiorgio, and as expected, Alessandro Gocciadoro was the dominant force. Gocciadoro steered Dany Capar to victory in one of the elimination heats and then guided the same horse to the win in the final. Dany Capar led from the start and held off a late challenge from Akela Pal Ferm to capture the biggest trophy of his career in a time of 1:56.

Credit Winner Daughter Shines in Denmark

The $95,000 Dansk Uppfödningslöpning, a race for the best 2-year-old trotters in Denmark, was held at Charlottenlund in Copenhagen. The victory went to Lets Go Ostedantik, a daughter of the American sire Credit Winner, trained and driven by long-time Danish champion Steen Juul. Lets Go Ostedantik showcased her promise with a ground-saving trip and a strong finish, holding off the late challenge of Lee Marwin to win in a mile rate of 2:02.2 over 1.3 miles.

Jushua Tree Impresses in France

In France, the $125,000 Prix Marcel Laurent for 4- and 5-year-old trotters saw the impressive performance of Jushua Tree, a Bold Eagle offspring trained by Nicolas Bazire. After tracking the leader Dimitri Ferm for the first kilometer, Jushua Tree surged to the front in the uphill section of the Vincennes track and went on to win comfortably in a mile rate of 1:54 over 1.3 miles. The victory suggests that Jushua Tree could be a contender for the 2025 Prix d'Amérique.

Hohneck Shines in the Netherlands

The $70,000 Prijs Der Giganten in Wolvega, the Netherlands, saw the return of Hohneck, the 2023 Elitloppet champion. Trained by Philippe Allaire, Hohneck proved his mastery of five-eighths-mile tracks, winning the race in a new stakes record of 1:54.3 over 1.3 miles. The veteran trotter had to work hard outside the leader Hades de Vandel, but he pulled away in the home stretch to secure the victory.

Breeders Crown Showdown in Sweden

The Swedish stakes season is nearing its end, but not before the highly anticipated $320,000 Breeders Crown races in Eskilstuna. Trainer Daniel Wäjersten has a strong presence, with 10 of his horses qualifying for the finals across the four divisions. Bullet The Bluesky, the Kriteriet winner, and Vivillion, the Oaks winner, are among Wäjersten's contenders. Meanwhile, Ron Burke has acquired Antognoni, a promising 4-year-old colt, and Daniel Redén's Gates Hanover, a Walner son, could be the dark horse in the 4-year-old colt and gelding division.