Prix de Paris Update; Workaholic Reported Dead at 31

At day-4 the field for Sunday’s 400,000 euro Prix de Paris has narrowed to 12, led by Ready Cash, Maharajah and Main Wise As (a son of Yankee Glide). Timoko, a solid third in the Prix de France, again has Jos. Verbeeck named to drive. Swedish entry Juggle Face, trained by Lutfi Kolgjini, will have Eric Adielsson in the bike. The 4,150 meter (2-5/8 mile) marathon promises to be an interesting tactical battle for this talented field of international trotters.

Separately, it was reported by newspaper “Quest-France” and Paris-Turf that Workaholic died Tuesday at age 31 at Haras du Pin where he had resided since 1989. The 1982 son of Speedy Crown-Ah So-Speedy Count won the Harriman Cup, Breeders Crown and Matron Final at age 2, returning at age 3 to win the American National and placing second in the Breeders Crown and Dexter Cup. Workaholic is credited by many as revolutionizing the French “trotteur”.

Workaholic remains an important broodmare sire, as evidenced by Avila’s win in last Sundays’ Gr. I, 200,000 euro,Criterium des Jeunes.  Avila is a 3 year-old filly by Ready Cash from the Workaholic mare Encombevineuse, thus being a 49%/51% French-standardbred mix. Encombevineuse has delivered 12 foals by ten different sires, with ten money earners and seven with sub-2:00 mile rated records. Among her important winners are two classic winners at age 3, Kinder Jet (US$623,262) by Full Account and Quaro ($704,265) by Kiwi.

Workaholic’s American pedigree also continues through the sires Carpe Diem and Cygnus d’Odyssee.