by Thomas Hedlund

Örjan Kihlström has won most of the world’s biggest races, some on more than one occasion — though, he’s still on the hunt for success in the Hambletonian.

In the $480,000 Stochampionatet for 4-year-old mares, for example, before Sunday’s (July 21) edition, Kihlström had won it eight times. Now make that nine wins thanks to Daniel Redén-trained Kinglet Bird (Nuncio).

Kinglet Bird began her career in Finland in owner Janne Korpi’s barn and her initial career starts were promising. She looked like she very well could be one of the best fillies in the Swedish-bred crop, but she had one problem — she didn’t like to travel too far for the races. For a horse talented enough for the biggest races in Sweden, that became a problem. Korpi lives in Finland.

So, Korpi called Redén in the summer of 2023 and asked him to train Kinglet Bird. Redén couldn’t say no. In fact, Redén had one 3-year-old filly standing out from the rest of the crop in his barn, a Father Patrick daughter out of Redén’s star mare Miss Sue V (purchased at the Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s sale in Harrisburg, PA in 2011 from Paul Kelley). Sadly, Hermione Zet died soon after qualifying. So, Kinglet Bird ended up in Sweden, preparing for the big stakes races later in the season. It all started well with an E3 elimination win and a third place in the final. But Kinglet Bird didn’t make it to either the Oaks or Breeders Crown. Her 4-year-old season started in the elimination and final in the Drottningpokalen at Åby, without any success.

“I actually called Janne [Korpi] a month ago and told him that I couldn’t find the key to Kinglet Bird,” Redén told Swedish media after the success at Axevalla racetrack. “He could change trainers or take her home again. That was my thoughts at that point. But he wanted to continue and I told him that we could try the Stochampionatet elimination at least and that’s what happened. But I also had to change something for the horse and she got to move from one of my stables to another, with another groom and all of a sudden she has had two super races.”

Kinglet Bird opened quickly in the 2,640-meter race and hit the lead after 500 meters. Eventually, she had to let Naomi Bros overtake the front position and Kihlström had to settle in position first over with a lap to go.

In the end, Kinglet Bird was a deserving winner of the Stochampionatet 2024 as she sprinted to the win in a mile rate of 1:58 over 1.6 miles. Replay here.

Not only did Kihlström win the Stochampionatet for the ninth time, it was also the third time in five years he has won it with Redén.

Johan Untersteiner’s Farina finished strongly as runner up ahead of Daim Brodda.

EDGAR SABA IMPRESSIVE AT ENGHIEN

Enghien in Paris had some great races on Saturday (July 20). In the $100,000 Prix de Milan for 4-year-olds, Italian-bred and trained Edgar Saba (Exploit Caf) impressed while paired with Gabriele Gelormini.

The Erik Bondo-trained gelding settled in fifth over and Gelormini left that position for a three-wide attack up the backstretch, hoping for cover before the last turn and the long homestretch. Edgar Saba had to act as a locomotive three-wide and when first-over trotter Knockonwood overtook the lead at the top of the stretch, it seemed to be a hard task to solve for the Italian attacker. Yet, Edgar Saba answered well when Gelormini pulled the ear plugs and trotted to the safe win in a mile rate of 1:55.3 over 1.3 miles.

Replayhere.

LOVINO BELLO OUTSTANDING IN FAST MILE

Jocelyn Robert-trained Lovino Bello (Village Mystic) played
in a league of his own when the $100,000 Prix Henri
Cravoisier for 3-year-olds was held at Enghien on Saturday (July 20).

Eric Raffin sent the well-gaited Lovino Bello to the lead as the car accelerated from the field. Throughout the whole race, the Village Mystic son looked sharp in the hands of
Raffin.

In great style, Lovino Bello sprinted to a superior win in a 1:52.1 mile. Replay here.

FIELD SET FOR HUGO ÅBERGS MEMORIAL

The $320,000 Hugo Åbergs Memorial mile race for older elite trotters is held on the last Tuesday in July every year at Jägersro.

The field for the July 30 race was complete on Monday (July 22) afternoon.

Ten horses will battle and title defender Hail Mary was one of the three last horses entered for the race. Some really strong mile trotters will try to grab the trophy, among them Elitloppet runner-up Borups Victory, speedy Click Bait, well-merited Don Fanucci Zet, the never-ending Vivid Wise As and 5-year-olds Barack Face and Hustle Rain.

Jägersro was hoping Önas Prince was ready for the race, but trainer Per Nordström opted to let his horse save his batteries for Åby’s $1.2 million Åby World Grand Prix on Aug. 10
instead.

HUGO ÅBERGS MEMORIAL:

A Fair Day

Barack Face

Borups Victory

Capital Mail

Click Bait

Don Fanucci Zet

Get A Wish

Hail Mary

Hustle Rain

Vivid Wise As