by Thomas Hedlund

Björn Goop-trained San Moteur (Panne de Moteur) was at his very best when the $52,500 Prins Carl Philips Jubileumspokal for 5-year-olds was held at Färjestad racetrack in Sweden on Friday afternoon (April 15).

Top trotters such as Önas Prince, Bepi Bi and Brambling gathered behind the car when the prestigious race over 1,640 meters was on the race card and ,as expected, Önas Prince left quickly from his inside position and kept the lead without any major problems. San Moteur got an early offensive order from Goop and the duo made contact with the leaders outside after 500 meters.

A high pace the first kilometer didn’t stop San Moteur from disarming Önas Prince in mid-stretch and the talented trotter more or less sprinted to safe win in an impressive mile rate of 1:51.3, the fastest time in the world by a trotter 2022, so far.

Replay here: www.atgplay.se/lopp/20220415-farjestad-v75?id=3

San Moteur finished second in the $840,000 Kriteriet for 3-year-olds in 2020 (Brambling won) and third in the $840,000 Derby in 2021 (Calgary Games won, Önas Prince was second), and has now 12 wins in 16 attempts.

Goop and the people connected to San Moteur will most probably face the enjoyable problem of whether the 5-year-old colt is ready for a start in Elitloppet at Solvalla in May, because the question will be asked by Solvalla.

HONEY MEARAS WINS FOLKE HJALMARSSONS MINNESLOPP

Last year’s dominant trotter among the 4-year-old mares, Honey Mearas (Readly Express) made her 2022 debut from post 10 in the $31,500 Folke Hjalmarssons Minneslopp over 1.3 miles and despite a tough trip where Honey Mearas landed outside the leader with a kilometer remaining of the race, she showed great strength over the stretch and won in a mile rate of 1:56.2.

Replay here: www.atgplay.se/lopp/20220415-farjestad-v75?id=6

Honey Mearas won the $500,000 Stochampionatet, $420,000 Derbystoet and $105,000 Sto-SM during the prior season.