French authorities allowed Lovino Bello to race in — and win — the Prix Ready Cash despite the trotter being suspended in Italy due to doping.

by Thomas Hedlund

A major difference of opinion regarding doping regulations (and the use of whips, driving as a general rule) has developed between European countries as a result of French trotter Lovino Bello’s triumph on Sunday (Dec. 8) in the $220,000 Prix Ready Cash at Vincennes. Lovino Bello won the Group 1 race while under suspension in Italy.

The 3-year-old son of Village Mystic was handed a one-month suspension for doping after a third-place finish in the $270,000 Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli on Nov. 1 in Torino. The suspension began on Nov. 28.

Ten days later, Lovino Bello and his connections stood in the winner’s circle at Vincennes after an impressive first-over victory.

Lovino Bello is obviously among the world’s best 3-year-old trotters in 2024. He has proven that several times during the season. But how and why he was allowed to race in France on Sunday is a mystery.

France is a member of the Union Européenne du Trot (UET) along with Italy, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. As such, all member states should respect each member country’s rulings.

It is a messy story.

Some big names (French superstar Jean-Michel Bazire for example) claim the rules in Italy differ from those in the rest of the UET. But it’s a claim few people involved in the business can stand behind, even if they were born in France.

A suspended horse should be suspended everywhere. That is hardly rocket science.

The case is tragic because Lovino Bello could be a superstar in the sport. The question now is whether Lovino Bello will be remembered as a champion or as the “horse that won a stakes race while under suspension for doping?”

In the Prix Ready Cash Lovino Bello won in a mile rate of 1:55.1 over 1.3 miles. Italian trotters Frank Gio and First Of Mind finished second and third, respectively.

Replay here.

BIG UPSETS SECURED SPOTS IN PRIX D’AMERIQUE

Sunday’s (Dec. 8) $125,000 Prix du Bourbonnais became a race where three big upsets succeeded in securing spots in Prix d’Amérique 2025.

Winner Josh Power (Offshore Dream), was the first choice in the first B-race, Prix de Bretagne, but in that race the 5-year-old colt got a bad trip and couldn’t fight for the top
places.

In the Prix du Bourbonnais, Sebastien Ernault-trained Josh Power got a tough trip in the event’s initial part before he was seen in second over. When driver Eric Raffin attacked at the top of the stretch, Josh Power showed that he is a horse poised to do well in the Grand Prix races later this winter.

Josh Power won in a strong mile rate of 1:55 over 1.7 miles on a very sloppy track.

Replay here.

Emeraude de Bais was the horse giving cover to Josh Power and Emeraude de Bais held bravely as runner up while Hokkaido Jiel finished quickly far outside and secured the bronze medal.

In a big upset, Fakir de Mahey held to fourth place from the lead. That means four new horses have qualified for the 2025 Prix d’Amérique.

HORSES QUALIFIED FOR THE PRIX D’AMÉRIQUE:

Hussard du Landret

San Moteur

Hooker Berry

Just Love You

Josh Power

Emeraude de Bais

Hokkaido Jiel

Fakir de Mahey

This means big names such as Go On Boy, Jushua Tree and Idao de Tillard still have to prove that they are set for the Prix d’Amérique. The two remaining Prix d’Amérique qualifying races are shaping up to be spectacular.

VIVID WISE AS GOES OUT A WINNER

Vivid Wise As (Yankee Glide) made his last career start in Florence, Italy on Sunday (Dec. 8) afternoon and there was a fairytale finish to the story of the tireless trotter and his spectacular career.

Vivid Wise As took a safe wire-to-wire win in the $127,000 Gran Premio Duomo and Alessandro Gocciadoro took care of the reigns in the horse’s last performance. Vivid Wise As won in 1:55.4.