by Thomas Hedlund

Bjerke in Oslo, Norway, will get harness racing fans’ attention on Sunday (June 9) when the $225,000 Oslo Grand Prix over 1.3 miles is contested.

Bjerke has succeeded in attracting several fresh horses in the elite in Europe and 5-year-old stars Joviality and Barack Face will be joined by a 4-year-old American bred trotter in Devilish Hill, who claimed the Fyraåringseliten at Solvalla two weeks ago.

Danish top trotter Extreme enters the race with three impressive wins in Denmark in his back pocket and from a nice post he will definitely be a serious factor in the Oslo Grand Prix.

It’s hard to tell who’s going to be the favorite in this year’s edition of the race, but high grades to Bjerke for inviting “new” names to the circuit of European races.

OSLO GRAND PRIX 2024

Horse — Driver

1. Hades de Vandel — Mischa Brouwer

2. Devilish Hill — Geir Vegard Gundersen

3. Extreme — Björn Goop

4. Joviality — Erik Adielsson

5. Banderas Bi — Alessandro Gocciadoro

6. Barack Face — Adrian Kolgjini

7. Beartime — Carl Johan Jepson

8. Z. Boko — Kristian Malmin

9. Kentucky River — Örjan Kihlström

10. Stoletheshow — Magnus A Djuse

OPEN STORY IN ÖSTERSUND

Östersund racetrack has attracted some really interesting horses to the $115,000 Jämtlands Stora Pris, which will go to post on Saturday (Jun. 8).

Elitloppet contender Hustle Rain, who made a break in his elimination at Solvalla two weeks ago, will try the elite once again, but a bad post (7) will decimate his chances to win in Östersund this year.

Hail Mary is the most merited trotter in the strong 10-horse field and he is also trying to defend the title in the actual race.

The most exciting contribution in the 2,140 meters race is without a doubt Irish horse Harry Knows, driven by Patrick Kane, Jr.

Harry Knows tried in the Sweden Cup at Solvalla two weeks ago, but went off-stride before the car left the field. Just like Just Believe did last year, Harry Knows stays in Sweden for a while after his debut in the country.

JÄMTLANDS STORA PRIS 2024

Horse — Driver

1. Weekend Fun — Björn Goop

2. Axel Ruda — Ulf Eriksson

3. Mister Hercules — Daniel Redén

4. Mellby Jinx — Daniel Wäjersten

5. Hail Mary — Örjan Kihlström

6. Harry Knows — Patrick Kane, Jr.

7. Hustle Rain — Magnus A Djuse

8. Clarissa — Alessandro Gocciadoro

9. Thereisnolimit — Ulf Ohlsson

10. Night Brodde — Conrad Lugauer

WORLD RECORD UNDER SADDLE IN PARIS

Hanna des Molles (Village Mystic) has belonged in the top among Monté horses in France lately and on Monday (June 3) she set a new world record, all categories, when she claimed the $100,000 Prix Paul Delanoe over 2,175 meters.

The 7-year-old mare, trained by Laurent-Claude Abrivard mashed her opponents and hit the wire in a mile rate of 1:52.

Alexandre Abrivard sat in the saddle.