by Thomas Hedlund

Italian trainer/driver Alessandro Gocciadoro is probably the most well-known competitor in European harness racing media. His rampaging on the tracks has developed to be significant for the yellow-dressed driver and Gocciadoro’s horses are also well known for their abilities in tolerating tough trips in races.

In Sunday’s (March 16) $155,000 Gran Premio Duomo in Florence, his winning weapon was Dany Capar (Exploit Caf), who took a safe wire-to-wire win in 1:53.3. Dany Capar and runner-up Callisto were both invited to Naples and the Gran Premio della Lotteria in May. A wild card was also given to Gocciadoro’s Chance Ek.

From the $200,000 Grand Criterium de Vitesse in Cagnes-sur-Mer, the top trio Emeraude de Bais, Etonnant and Ampia Mede Sm have been invited to Naples and among other horses that are expected to go to Italy, Nicolas Bazire trained Hooker Berry can be named.

On April 6, three additional wild cards, or invitations can be delivered. The Gran Premio Costa Azzurra will take place that date and it feels like interest in the Lotteria is high this year.

MATS SUNDIN’S TROTTER READY FOR ELITLOPPET

Last year’s runner-up in Elitloppet, Borups Victory, received an invitation to Elitloppet as he was named the Horse of the Year in Sweden on Saturday (March 15) night.

Daniel Wäjersten had a nice evening at the award night as he claimed the title of Trainer of the Year and Best 3-Year-Old of the Year (Bullet The Bluesky).

And, as an extra bonus, Solvalla invited Borups Victory to the great event in late May. Borups Victory finished second to Horsy Dream in Elitloppet 2024 and later claimed the Hugo Åbergs Memorial at Jägersro racetrack.

Former NHL-star Mats Sundin (Toronto Maple Leafs) co-owns Borups Victory and the Wäjersten trained horse is the third invited trotter to Elitloppet 2025.

French champion Go On Boy and Canadian record holder Logan Park were invited earlier this spring.

ELITLOPPET 2025 (MAY 25)

Go On Boy

Logan Park

Borups Victory

REDÉN’S AMERICAN DUO BOTH GREAT IN 2025 DEBUTS

Daniel Redén’s Double Deceiver (Cantab Hall—Sarcy) went undefeated in his 4-year-old season in Sweden 2023 and claimed two races in five attempts in 2024. On Wednesday (March 19) night, the 6-year-old gelding made his first start in six months and from the lead Double Deceiver had everything under control for driver Örjan Kihlström. Double Deceiver held stablemate Missle Hill behind him in the finish and Double Deceiver came home in a mile rate of 1:55.4 over 1.3 miles.

It was also a first start on European soil for American-bred trotter, now trained by Redén, Keep Asking (Chapter Seven—Sensibility), who was purchased by Brixton Medical AB (Stall Zet) in Harrisburg in November 2024. The 4-year-old colt showed no problems in testing a new, longer distance than what he was used to in America. Kihlström sent Keep Asking to the front and was then allowed to keep the pace down during the race.

American-bred 4-year-olds is something of a specialty for Redén and it all began with Shaq Is Back and Delicious.

The latter became one of the best mares ever to race in Europe and in three consecutive races in the fall of 2015, Delicious garnered three world records, over three different distances and was later named Horse of the Year for her achievements. 

Love Matters, Missle Hill, Sister Sledge, and Double Deceiver all won the $100,000 Fyraåringseliten at Solvalla and last year, Crown was one of the most successful 4-year-olds in Sweden.

Keep Asking will most certainly visit the winner’s podium several times more this season.