by Thomas Hedlund

Michel F Rothengatter experienced a splendid weekend in Berlin Aug. 17-18 as his horses claimed the $107,000 Derby for mares and the $250,000 Derby.

Saturday’s win behind Walner daughter Speedrise Lady S in The Derby for mares was not unexpected. Ruothengatter’s 4-year-old won in a mile rate of 1:56.4 over 1.2 miles.

Sunday would end up even better as Rothengatter’s mare Nortolanda (Bird Parker) proved strongest against male opponents. Nortolanda did the job outside of leading favorite Brothers In Arms and early on the stretch, Nortolanda had disarmed the leader. She then held on and flew to a safe win in a mile rate of 1:54.4 over 1.2 miles that equaled the stakes record.

Mares winning the German Derby is not common, and Rothengatter ended a 13-year losing streak by steering Nortolanda to victory.

CHAMPIONS MEET IN SUNDSVALL

Daniel Wäjersten’s Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) and Daniel Redén’s Francesco Zet (Father Patrick) are two of the best trotters in Sweden. The stars will meet in Saturday’s (Aug. 24) $200,000 Sundsvall Open Trot at Bergsåker racetrack.

Elitloppet runner up Borups Victory had the better luck in the draw and the Mats Sundin-owned 6-year- old will start from post 2 behind the gate. Wäjersten has, incidentally, three horses in the race and top mare Great Skills, who is one of them, makes an interesting entry. Mellby Jinx is Wäjersten’s third horse in the race.

On the same day, but later at night, Cagnes-sur-Mer outside of Nice plays host to the $195,000 Grand Prix du Departement des Alpes-Maritime mile race where horses Ampia Mede Sm, Go On Boy and Emeraude de Bais have been entered. The race has been dominated by Alessandro Gocciadoro in prior years. His Vernissage Grif was expected to race at the French Riviera track, but the horse’s connections have accepted an invitation from Yonkers for the $1 million Yonkers International.

SUNDSVALL OPEN TROT 2024

2,140 meters

Horse – Driver

1. High On Pepper – Jorma Kontio

2. Borups Victory – Daniel Wäjersten

3. Millindollarrhyme – Fredrik B Larsson 

4. Great Skills – Ulf Ohlsson

5. Mellby Jinx – Erik Adielsson

6. Francesco Zet – Örjan Kihlström

7. Hard Times – Per Lennartsson

8. Sourire Frö – Mats E Djuse

9. Hustle Rain – Magnus A Djuse

10. Charmant de Zack – Robin Bakker