Revenge for Ringostarr Treb
Italian-bred Ringostarr Treb, trained by Jerry Riordan, was the winner of $250,000 Sundsvall open trot Saturday in Sweden.
by Thomas Hedlund
The Sundsvall Open Trot, over two 5/8ths of a mile, is one of the last big races of the year for elite trotters in Sweden. This year, Jerry Riordan-trained Ringostarr Treb (Classic Photo—Farsalo Egral) posted the victory two years after he finished third in the same race.
Propulsion, the heavy favourite, started from post eight and his driver Örjan Kihlström did not bother to get in gear off the gate. Instead, Propulsion slipped into sixth spot, while the tempo in front, with On Track Piraten in the lead, was slow for the class.
Wim Paal, one of the most qualified drivers in Germany and Italy, came third over with Ringostarr Treb and the attack was on with the seven-year-old easily gaining ground on the front horses.
Ringostarr Treb had passed the leader at the top of the stretch and was never really threatened by his opponents chasing him. Nadal Broline finished second and Propulsion third. The approximate mile time was 1:54.2.
It was yet another stakes win for Riordan, an American native who has won the Ulf Thoresens Minneslopp, Oslo Grand Prix, Prix Etain Royal and, now, the Sundsvall Trot.
“I’m half happy and half relieved. This horse is such a warrior and today we had the lengths on our side compared to Propulsion,” Riordan said.
Timoko a winner in last French start
Two-time Elitloppet winner Timoko made his last start in France on Saturday night. The 10-year-old Imoko son won the Elitlopp this year for Swedish driver Björn Goop and the duo won the Grand Prix Departement Alpes-Maritimes at the hippodrome de la Cote d’Azur in Cagnes-sur-Mer in south of France.
A trip outside the leader, Dante Boko, did not bother the French champion who earned $100,000 by winning in 1:51.1.
Timoko now says farewell to racing in his home country. A fantastic career in France is over.
