Hooker Berry back to defend his crown in trotting's Holy Grail

Paris (AFP) – Drivers will climb into their sulkies at Vincennes hippodrome on the outskirts of Paris on Sunday for harness trotting's Holy Grail - the Prix d'Amerique.

Named in tribute to the assistance the United States gave France in World War One, this is the 103rd edition with the home-trained Hooker Berry back to defend his title.

Trained by one of the sport's brightest stars Jean-Michel Bazire who multi-tasked last year to drive his horse home as well.

This year, the 52-year-old has handed driving responsibility to his son Nicolas, who trained and drove the 2022 winner Davidson du Pont.

Bazire junior told AFP that his charge possesses a very useful asset - lots of speed.

"He is tough, brave, and really a nice character!" he added.

He has his race tactics already mapped out in his head.

"I'm going to try to be close to the front so that he does the minimum of effort during the race to let his turn of foot come into play at the finish."

Hooker Berry is aiming to emulate 2020/2021 champion Face Time Bourbon as a back-to-back winner of trotting's equivalent of flat racing's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The horse may be the champion but is not set to go off favourite in the 17-horse field.

That honour is held by Idao de Tillard, who has racked up a series of top-class prizes.

Disqualified last year for breaking out of a trot, he is trained by Thierry Duvaldestin with son Clement as driver.

Duvaldestin trained the mighty Ready Cash, who took the 2011 and 2012 editions.

Ready Cash went on to become an influential stallion, but died last year, adding a poignant note should Idao de Tillard justify his place at the head of the betting, even though he missed his scheduled warm-up race.

"Idao had a bit of a training setback during his preparation but he is a horse that runs well fresh. He is ready to run up to his form.

"He did a fast piece of work on Monday. He is agile, and easy to drive, and very fast," Clement Duvaldestin said.

Threats abound for the first two in the betting market, not least from Ampia Mede SM, runner-up last year, and Gu d'Heripre, third in 2021 and reportedly back to his best after injury.

"This year we've rediscovered the true Gu d'Heripre," said his driver Francois Lagadeuc.

Sweden, one of Europe's trotting powerhouses, has a solid chance of claiming its first Prix d'Amerique since Readily Express in 2018 with Joviality.

In addition to her evident ability her, cause is also helped by the presence of Bjorn Goop, sitting in the sulky.

The 47-year-old is Sweden's all-time top driver, and is on the hunt for a fourth d'Amerique after Readily Express and back-to-back winner Face Time Bourbon.

Run over 2700m this year's race has a total prize money fund of one million euros, with almost half of that going to the winner.

Missing, however, are any contenders from the land after which the race is named. The last American-trained winner was Moni Maker back in 1999.