by Thomas Hedlund

Mauro Baroncini-trained Dimitri Ferm (Nad Al Sheba) continued to establish his position as number one among Italian bred 3-year-olds as he claimed the $800,000 Derby del Trotto in Rome on Sunday (Oct. 9) afternoon.

Driver Andrea Farolfi used his post position 1 to his advantage as Dimitri Ferm kept the lead without any big problems. Farolfi seemed satisfied in front all the way and The Derby never fired up with Dimitri Ferm in the lead. When Farolfi started to increase the pace at the back stretch, the field divided and some of the horses racing on the inside got their chances to challenge for the top places.

Denzel Treb found good speed at the home stretch and got closer the leader when the wire approached. Dimitri Ferm had to be reminded what his mission was by his driver and when Denzel Treb closed the gap, the race’s excitement began for real.

Dimitri Ferm held on and won the Italian Derby and claimed his 11th victory in his 19th start. Needless to say, this was his biggest success in his career even if it was his fourth group 1 victory in 2022.

Denzel Treb was second, Dolce Viky third and the mile rate was 1:56.3 over 2,100 meters.

DOUBLE FOR FATHER PATRICK IN OAKS

Alessandro Gocciadoro’s name is not unusual when it comes to reports from big races in Italy, or any European country and on Sunday (Oct. 9) afternoon he sat behind the winner when the $250,000 Oaks del Trotto for 3-year-old fillies was held in Rome.

Delicious Gar (Father Patrick) started her career promising last season and continued to impress in the first starts of the year as a 3-year-old, but the three prior starts to the Oaks, including the elimination (second) to Oaks on Sept. 18, maybe didn’t end as good as Gocciadoro hoped for. But when it was time for the biggest race in her career so far, Delicious Gar was on top again.

Gocciadoro was eager in seeking a position in front of the field and as the first turn ended, he left third over and let Delicious Gar travel outside of the leader. A push for the lead was tried at the back stretch and leader Due Italia was marked by the move as the field turned for home. Delicious Gar got advantage, held on and won in 1:55.1.

Father Patrick filly Daughter As was runner up after a pocket trip and Danish As was third.

FIFTY PER CENT EXTRA TO HOWLINGATTHEMOON

The $100,000 Kriterium for Danish bred 3-year-olds was on the menu at Charlottenlund in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday (Oct. 9) afternoon and driver Jan Dahlgaard aimed for the lead from his inside position with Howlingatthemoon (Cantab Hall) and when the tactic succeeded, the Cantab Hall son was too tough to beat.

Howlingatthemoon kept the front position from post 1 and the only exciting moment that followed was when Robert Bergh connected on the outside with the race’s first choice Harpy, with a lap to go in the 2,500 meters long race.

Harpy and Howlingatthemoon looked to be the horses fighting for the title and at mid-stretch, the leader got himself a safe advantage and Dahlgaard noted that the victory was his. Howlingatthemoon was one out of eight contenders in the race that had the chance to increase the purse with 50 per cent, so the Peter Rudbeck trained 3-year-old earned $75,000 instead of $50,000.

Harpy finished second and Harboe third. The mile rate over 2,500 meters was 1:59.4.

In the $60,000 fillies’ division of Kriteriet, Bo Westergård hit the lead with his Hallöjsa Vang (S.J.’s Caviar) and she was never really seriously challenged for the win. Westergård made sure to steer the race in a suitable pace and at the stretch he gave his horse order to fly and she responded by leaving the opponents easily. A brave first over trotter Helena D.D. secured the second place ahead of strong (between horses) finisher Heimaey.

Hallöjsa Vang earned, just like Howlingatthemoon, some extra money and in this case she collected $45,000 to her bank account.

BROTHER BILL AND HONEY MEARAS SWEDISH CHAMPIONS

Timo Nurmos’ 6-year-old Brother Bill (From Above) and Daniel Redén’s 5-year-old mare Honey Mearas (Readly Express) captured the trophies in the $100,000 Swedish Championship at Åby racetrack on Saturday (Oct. 8) afternoon.

The mares battled early on the card and Honey Mearas
were the race’s first choice from post 1 behind the gate. The post position could have been a problem for her, but
driver Örjan Kihlström was quick minded and lifted his horse out immediately when the car left the field in the 2,140
meters long race. A wild pace in front during the race’s first half mile made Honey Mearas’ path to victory easier and when Kihlström attacked at the back stretch, knowing that he had to let Honey Mearas do the job three wide throughout the last turn, he felt that he had the best horse in the field. The 5-year-old dominant among mares in Sweden flew to outstanding victory in mile rate 1:54.4.

In the open championship, Don Fanucci Zet was the first choice and from post 8, Kihlström hit the lead with Redén’s trainee after 600 meters. Kihlström was allowed to lower the pace, but that didn’t matter when strong finisher Brother Bill was served a perfect second over trip by Björn Goop. Brother Bill was all over the first over trotter’s driver Joakim Lövgren’s helmet and was just waiting for the attack order. And the order came as the stretch approached. Brother Bill was unstoppable, again, and the race reminded some of his last performance in STL Open, when Brother Bill flew to a safe win. This time the distance was 2,640 meters, and Björn Goop managed to save power in the energetic trotter, which resulted in a very easy win in a mile rate of 1:55.4.