10-year-old hero first to enter Olympiatravet
by Thomas Hedlund
Olympiatravet at Åby in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the biggest races for elite trotters in Europe. The eliminations started Sunday (April 1) at Romme racetrack.
With horses such as Cruzado dela Noche, Zenit Brick and Digital Ink behind the gate, the race had potential to become a spectacular one in the hunt for the ticket to the final on April 28.
Driven by his trainer Hans R Strömberg, 10-year-old On Track Piraten, beat them all after a trip in the pocket behind leader Digital Ink winning. On Track Piraten won in a mile rate of 1:57 over 1.3 miles.
It was the 27th victory in gold division for the son of Kool du Caux. The Swedish ”Superman” made his 125th event on the racetrack and was noted for his 40th victory. More than $1.9 million have rolled in on the horse’s account and the nice thing about the story around On Track Piraten is that he has been fighting among the best horses since he started his career as a 3-year-old in 2011.
The purse of the Olympiatravet final is $359,000.
In Norway
Klosterskogen Grand Prix in Norway last Saturday saw 11-year-old Pingus Vang (S.J.’s Photo) as a winner after a trip third inside. Leader Quick Fix and favorite I Love Paris both tried to get rid of the chasers in the last turn, but then free space came for Pingus Vang, who easily sprinted home the race worth $38,000.
At Färjestad, 5-year-old Pastore Bob (From Above) won Hertigen av Värmland, Prins Carl Philips Jubileumspokal in 1:53.4 over the mile for Christoffer Eriksson. The race for 5-year-olds has seen several stars been lightened during the years and Pastore Bob can be a horse that steps up towards the best in Sweden.
In Italy
In Turin, Italy, 5-year-old Prix du Luxembourg winner Urlo dei Venti (Mago d’Amore) was impressive for driver Enrico Bellei in Gran Premio Societa’ Campo di Mirafiori on April 1.
A three-wide trip outside leader Unicorno Slm didn’t stop the Gennaro Casillo-trained horse from sprinting away to an easy win at 1:55.4. Urlo dei Venti would probably be an interesting contribution in the biggest races in Europe throughout the spring and summer and for the Italian harness racing business he can be the new star.
Urlo dei Venti has earned more than $690,000 dollars so far and in Turin he got $45,000 for the victory.
Enterprise fourth in European debut
Four-year-old Chapter Seven son Enterprise, who won one elimination for the Hambletoninan last year, made his debut on Swedish ground last Tuesday at Solvalla. The Stefan Melander-trained trotter got himself a calm experience in his new home country. Driver Per Linderoth took it slowly from the start and placed the horse third inside, which became position behind leader Zack’s Zoomer (also debuting in Sweden for Stefan Melander) with 5/8ths of a mile to go.
Zack’s Zoomer fought well in front, but couldn’t hold against Johan Untersteiner’s Danish born Cuba Libre Ice (Great Challenger) in the finish.
A 1:57.3 (mile rate) was the winning time over the 1.3-mile distance for Cuba Libre Ice. Enterprise finished fourth and came home in 1:58, without any chance to challenge since he never found the open space at the home stretch.
