Ready Cash To Race In U.S.

Ready Cash, who was feted in a retirement ceremony in France earlier this year, has been pointed to race in North America this Summer with the goal of becoming the fastest trotter in harness racing history.

It was rumoured over a month ago, but wasn't confirmed until Sunday -- the day after Swedish star Sebastian K made headlines by equalling the world record in his first North American start, an unstressed 1:50.1 mile in his Cutler elim at The Meadowlands.

While Ready Cash's handlers had been on the fence about racing stateside, it was apparently Sebastian K's effort that helped make that decision final.

European media is reporting that Ready Cash will finish the breeding season and be sent to the U.S. in August. He'll report to the stable of Jimmy Takter.

"I'm pretty sure the Ready Cash is several lengths better than Sebastian K, so this will be an exciting project, French photographer Gerard Forni told Norwegian racing website TGN. Forni acted as the agent and intermediary between Takter and Ready Cash's owner Phillipe Allaire.

Forni told TGN that the plan is for Ready Cash to make a handful of starts before racing at The Red Mile during Grand Circuit week. It is here that he'd take a shot at breaking the 1:50 mark. The fastest mile ever trotted belongs to Enough Talk, who took a 1:49.3 mark at Colonial Downs.

Ready Cash last raced in the Prix de France in February, retiring after winning 40 of 68 lifetime starts and earning more than €4-million. The son of Indy De Vive - Kidea has performed as a stallion over the past number of years while still competing on the track, with his oldest offspring now racing as four-year-olds.