by Thomas Hedlund

Bjerke racetrack in Oslo, Norway, played host to the country’s classic stakes for 3- and 4-year-old trotters on Saturday (Sept. 7) and continuing today (Sept. 8).

On Saturday, in the $125,000 Stokriterium for 3-year-old fillies, Petri Salmela-trained Lilium Sisu (Face Time Bourbon) impressed a lot for driver Mika Forss, but it was undefeated Skylight (six-for-six) that took the lead in the first turn. Forss was not satisfied as Lilium Sisu was parked first over, so he put strong pressure on the leader, Skylight, up the backstretch. That elevated the pace.

The unexpected duel (Skylight had bested Lilium Sisu under similar conditions at Biri in early August) ended with an easy advantage for outside trotter Lilium Sisu in the stretch and Salmela’s filly claimed the big trophy in a mile rate of 1:57.2 over 1.3 miles. Lady Nova finished second and Taminara third.

Meanwhile, another Face Time Bourbon offspring dominated the $165,000 Derby for mares. Frode Hamre’s favorite Meghan B.R. (Face Time Bourbon) hit the lead for driver Tom Erik Solberg and got company on the outside from Monalisa B.R. The outside trotter showed no respect for the big favorite on the lead and for a while it seemed like Monalisa B.R. would be the winner. However, Meghan B.R. battled back on the inside and won in a tight finish in a mile rate of 1:57.1 over 1.3 miles. Runner up Monalisa B.R. was strong to the wire and Waterloo Bonanza saved ground on the inside and finished third.

The classic stakes for colts and geldings continue today (Sept. 8) and the race card ends with the prestigious $165,000 Derby for 4-year-olds. Geir Vegard Gundersen’s Just Like Heaven (Maharajah) will be the probable favorite, but there are some strong opponents that will try to capture the trophy.

NORWEGIAN DERBY 2024

2,600 meters

Horse — Sire — Driver

1. Nelson Daytona — Father Patrick — Tom Erik Solberg

2. Just Like Heaven — Maharajah — Magnus Teien Gundersen

3. Klinger — Maharajah — Ole Johan Östre

4. Moni U.S.A. — Born In The U.S.A. — Dag-Sveinung Dalen

5. Powwow — Papagayo E. — Lars Anvar Kolle

6. Nencini — Southwind Frank — Eirik Höitomt

7. Jazzman — Muscle Massive — Nicklas Korfitsen

8. Pictured King — King City — Åsbjörn Tengsareid

9. Charron — Code Bon — Geir Vegard Gundersen

10. Mozart B.R. — Readly Express — Svein Ove Wassberg

11. Kjella — Brillantissime — Per Oleg Midtfjeld

12. Malabar Sun — Broadway Legs — Kjetil Djöseland

COMFORTABLE WIN FOR FRENCH STAR

Thierry Duvaldestin-trained Idao de Tillard (Severino) claimed the $135,000 Grand Prix Federation Regionale du Nord in La Capelle in northern France on Wednesday (Sept. 4) afternoon.

Idao de Tillard tried Elitloppet at Solvalla in May and went into that race as the current emperor of French harness racing. But his crown began to slip after some losses, most notably to Horsy Dream.

But in La Capelle, Idao de Tillard proved best again. After an initial outside trip, Clément Duvaldestin pushed Idao de Tillard to the lead with a half-mile to go and the duo relaxed and collected a safe win in a moderate mile rate of 1:56.2 over 1.1 miles.