by Thomas Hedlund

Idao de Tillard, Francesco Zet, Hohneck, Joviality and A Fair Day will get company from last year’s Elitloppet runner-up for this year’s race.

Go On Boy (Password), trained and driven by Romain Derieux in France is well known for his ability to finish strongly in races and he has proven that a five-eighth’s-mile track suits him well.

Three French bred trotters are thus invited to Solvalla and the track’s sports general Anders Malmrot has really done a great job finding the best available horses for the big mile race.

However, the situation around the Prix d’Amérique winner Idao de Tillard is shaky at this moment. He would normally start next weekend, but problems with his throat forced trainer Thierry Duvaldestin to treat the horse with medicine and Idao de Tillard will miss an important preparation race before his adventure up north.

STRONG WINNER READY FOR PARALYMPIATRAVET

The second elimination for the $320,000 Paralympiatravet was held at Bergsåker racetrack on Saturday (April 13) afternoon and the winner Kentucky River (Father Patrick) impressed in a solid first over victory.

Favorite Mellby Jinx hit the lead directly after the start and Kentucky River could take it easy as third on the inside during the first quarter of a mile. Eventually, Örjan Kihlström opted for position first over with Kentucky River and the stretch duel between the two front horses was spectacular. The 6-year-old Father Patrick son disarmed the favorite, 50 meters before the wire and Kentucky River is now ready for the final of the Paralympiatravet on May 4.

Kentucky River won in a mile rate of 1:55.1 over 1.3 miles.

Önas Prince won last week’s elimination.