Impressions of Moni Maker's Classic at Vincennes

PARIS TURF, the excellent daily French racing periodical, called Moni Maker la belle Americaine! the morning after her great triumph in the Prix d’Amerique.

Strictly translated, that means the French called her the beautiful American. And indeed she was exquisite. Moni Maker’s important triumph on Sunday in the 78th Prix d’Amerique was a tour de force of noteworthy quality. The gallant Speedy Crown mare was the betting favorite for this European classic, and one could not help but be struck by the enormous historical significance of this latest of her many triumphs. It was not only that she won yet another classic, but that she did so in such dramatic, front-running style over the nearly 1 2-3 miles at which this classic test is raced.

MONI MAKER JOINS COMPANY WITH DELMONICA HANOVER

Moni Maker is the first American-bred and American-owned horse to win the Prix d’Amerique since the splendid mare Delmonica Hanover turned the trick way back in 1974 for Delvin Miller. The only other recent North American-bred champion in this event is 1994 winner Sea Cove, who was bred by Cuddy Farms of Canada, but is by the former American sire Bonefish. Coktail Jet, the 1996 winner, has an entirely American maternal line and is by a sire who traces to US roots in his male line. Other US imports who fared well since 1974 have included Classical Way, who was third here in 1981 (to Ideal du Gazeau) when the splendid Speedy Scot mare got left behind at the volt start and Grade’s Singing, who was second to Ourasi in 1987 in one of his four Prix d’Amerique wins. It should also be remembered that Delmonica Hanover won her Prix d’Amerique from a mobile start, while Moni Maker had to overcome the intricacies of the European-style starting system to prevail.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRIX D'AMERIQUE

There are many observations to take away from the 1999 Prix d’Amerique. Perhaps the strongest is that French racing is light years ahead of us in North America in terms of presenting a classic race. The French may still have provincial attitudes about their stud book, but they have proven they know how to present an international race. I have attended most of the great harness races in the past 30-plus years, and no North American racetrack puts on a show that is the equal of the Prix d’Amerique show I saw last Sunday. There is pomp and pageantry that is more characteristic of a major college or professional football championship in the US. From the parade of drivers in World War II jeeps, to the marching bands, mounted horse troops and the parade of starters, this is a race which the French take great pride in presenting in a manner really befitting a classic. To even a casual French race-goer, it would be easy to understand that this is a very important event.

TELEVISION AND AUDIO SYSTEM WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE

Another area where I was impressed was the quality of the in-house television and audio system. The TV coverage was outstanding and the race was seen from several different vantage points, including the traditional pan shots, but those are supplemented with views from inside the track, head-on coming into turns, and many, many replays after the race has been conducted. The huge, infield television board puts out a terrific image, in spite of the fact that for most of the day, the sun shone directly on the face of the huge board.

THE VINCENNES TRACK ITSELF IS SPECIAL

I had heard nearly all my life about the character of the Vincennes track over which the Prix d’Amerique is contested. It is a huge, non-oval, egg-shaped track with a long homestretch, two wide, sweeping turns, and a long, looping backstretch that seems to go on forever. The start for the 2,700 meter Prix d’Amerique occurs at the head of the last turn in a chute which extends from the turn at about a 45-degree angle. The actual start occurs in the chute. Post positions are not an issue in the Prix d’Amerique. Head numbers are drawn solely for betting purposes, but horses do not have assigned starting positions. The drivers must negotiate the quality of their own starting spot and here is where the race can be lost.

Moni Maker was able to emerge from the quasi-rodeo with a good racing spot on the outside, free of trouble. Her chief nemesis, and second choice in the betting, Remington Crown, did not fare so well, as he was squeezed by other horses and lost all chance after making a break. It was obviously a very wise move to obtain the services of a French driver like Jean Michel Bazire who is familiar with the intricacies of this starting method, and trainer Jimmy Takter is to be congratulated not only for his masterful preparation of Moni Maker, but also for his choice of Bazire.

THE DOWNHILL PORTION

After the start, the horses emerge onto the main track at a position roughly a half mile from the finish line and race around the turn and through the stretch for the first time. From there, they trot past the huge crowd of more than 30,000 in the modern grandstand, and enter the downhill portion of the track. The downhill is clearly visible to the naked eye, and it is quite imposing. It was here that Moni Maker, racing on the outside, began her move that would carry her to the lead with more than a mile to go last Sunday.

After clearing the “lower turn,” the field enters a long backstretch that is nearly three-quarter of a mile in length. It is, in fact, not a straight-away at all, but a long, slightly-angled turn. Strategically, this is a very important part of the race because it is here that many winning moves are made. Moni Maker was challenged twice during this interval, but neither rally was of a serious nature. Bazire was able to rest the renowned mare on the front end and prepare her for the later assaults that were anticipated. This is where Moni Maker’s class showed. After her own assault moved her to the front, she had the professionalism to be rated, and this may have been the key to victory.

THEN COMES THE GRUELING UPHILL

At the end of the long backstretch, the horses enter the same turn which they raced through just after the start. This is the uphill portion of the track, coming at a time when the field has already raced more than a mile. The fascinating downhill section drops the horses some 15 feet below grade and, of course, the uphill must return them to the starting elevation. This 30-foot difference in elevation is equal to that of a three-story building, and is a taxing requirement for any horse who competes here. The Vincennes track has high-banked turns on both ends and is every bit a modern raceway. It also appears as manicured and professional as any of our North American tracks, although its crushed cinder composition would be foreign to most American trainers. The material gives the track a very dark, black appearance. It seemed a very fast and safe racing surface.

Through the final, uphill turn, Moni Maker asserted her greatness, opening up several lengths on the field in dramatic fashion. At the head of the stretch, it was clear the only question to be answered was the final margin of victory. Bazire chased Moni Maker a little with a left-handed whip (drivers are not allowed to leave the hand-holds in Europe) and then raised his fist in exultation as he and the rangy mare crossed under the finish line with at least a five-length margin.

THE PRIX D'AMERIQUE HAS SOME UNIQUE CONDITIONS

Another factor of interest (at least to this first-time observer) are the conditions of the Prix d’Amerique. The purse is not split 50-25-12-8-5 per cent the way we do in North America, but rather 50-25-15-6-4 per cent. There is, however, an interesting bonus for the winner. The winner’s share is augmented by a small percentage of admission revenues, which can swell the winner’s portion a good ways beyond the $400,000 US share of the 4 million francs ($800,000 US) purse.

Another element of interest is that the conditions of the race require each entrant to have earned at least 1 million francs in the previous year, or about $250,000 US. At least 200,000 francs must have been won in sulky events (as opposed to mounted races, which retain their popularity in France.) Additionally, a driver must have won 35 races in the past year, at least ten of which must have been in sulky races. These conditions, of course, would have precluded a Mal Burroughs-type story to unfold in the French classic.

MONI MAKER CONTINUES HER ASSAULT ON THE MONEY-WINNING LIST

Moni Maker was the leading money-winner in this year’s race, with more than 18 million francs ($3.6 million.) Defi d’Annou was next with 13,240,570 francs ($2.6 million) while second-choice Remington Crown came into the race with 6,836,522 francs, or about $1.36 million US. The winner’s share from this Prix d’Amerique sends Moni Maker’s career total past $4 million, moving her into the top five, a group that includes Peace Corps, Abo Volo, Zoogin and Mack Lobell.

THERE WAS A UNIQUELY AMERICAN FLAVOR TO THIS PRIX D'AMERIQUE

Moni Maker was the star of a strong American showing on this European stage, for this Prix d’Amerique also had a distinctly American feel, since so many horses in the starting field have American roots. Besides Moni Maker, there were two other strictly American-influenced starters, including Rite On Line, who is by Supergill and out of the Nevele Pride mare Emerald City, and the well-known General November, a son of Valley Victory from a full sister to Florida Pro. Rite On Line led the race out of the chute at first calling, then was shuffled to tenth at the end. General November was never in a good spot and wound up 14th.

Seven of the 18 entrants traced directly to Speedy Crown in their male lineage, and indeed only Balou Boy carried strictly French bloodlines. Thirteen of the 18 entrants carried strong US influences, either in the sire line or on the dam’s side, or both. Lovely Godiva, who was second in a good effort in this Prix d’Amerique, is by Ideal du Gazeau from the Speedy Crown mare Keystone Gwen. Third-place finisher Defi d’Annou is by the exported Armbro Goal. Seven American-bred sires had starters in the race besides Speedy Crown, including his son Royal Prestige, the Super Bowl stallion Mr. Drew, the Speedy Crown son Workaholic, the Bonefish stallion Fly Caster, the Speedy Somolli son Speedy Tomali, Lord Of All (a full brother to Speedy Somolli) and Armbro Goal, a son of Speedy Crown.

THE FIRST TRIP TO THE PRIX D'AMERIQUE WILL NOT SOON BE FORGOTTEN

This was my first trip to the Prix d’Amerique and I came away very impressed with this unique, modern celebration of world trotting. Hippodrome Vincennes is a first-rate, contempoary facility and they execute their big event in a very grand style. The fact that Moni Maker presented yet another of her amazing performances on center stage is what good horses are supposed to do--win big races in dramatic fashion
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Those of us fortunate enough to see Moni Maker win the Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes on Sunday are convinced we have seen something we are not likely to forget anytime soon.