Maharajah (9m Viking Kronos-Chili Khan-Giant Chill) enjoyed a perfect pocket trip engineered by harness racing driver Orjan Kihlstom to surge past pacesetter Up And Quick and J-M Bazire to take today’s 93rd edition of the Grand Prix d’Amerique.

The one million euro ($1,367,000 US Dollars) Gr. I International UET Masters Series event is the world’s richest harness race and one of the most prestigious trotting contest.

The course was rain soaked on this cold day but it not affect the Stefan Hultman trainee that entered the race off a weak performance in Sweden. For that reason he was sent off at 8.7/1. Favorite Up and Quick at 5/2 odds raced well and held off Yarrah Boko that was third at 19/1 for Pierre Vercruysse. Roxane Griff, last week’s Prix de Cornulier winner was well placed throughout to gain fourth with Timoko fifth. Second choice Ready Cash took a shot at the leaders and reached third on the outer before going off-stride at mid-stretch.

Maharajah scored his 31st career win and increased his earnings to 2,602,451 euro for owner public company Travkompaniets Stall AB. The early pace was soft but the field began to roll after recording 1.14.3kr at the 1500. The winner was clocked at 1.13.3kr at the finish of the 2700 meter test.

by Thomas H. Hicks for Harnesslink.com