It was the second Elitloppet triumph for Go On Boy’s trainer/driver Romain Derieux.

by Thomas Hedlund

In 2019, Romain Derieux shocked most of the harness racing world when he won Elitloppet with his Dijon. Derieux’s second triumph in Sweden’s biggest trotting race was much less surprising.

On Sunday (May 25) at Solvalla, Go On Boy (Password) handily won Elitloppet and proved he is a horse that belongs in the conversation about Europe’s best trotters.

The victory came two years after Go On Boy was the runner-up to Hohneck in the 2023 Elitloppet.

This year’s final was spectacular.

Heat winners Don Fanucci Zet and Mellby Jinx fought for the lead when the car accelerated and it was a fast opening that ended with Mellby Jinx keeping the lead from his inside post. Derieux settled Go On Boy third over, covered by Borups Victory, and when Örjan Kihlström attacked three wide with Francesco Zet with a kilometer to go, Derieux was not quite attentive. When Francesco Zet should have been covered by Borups Victory in the three wide-attack, Go On Boy took Francesco Zet’s spot.

Francesco Zet’s race was over and Hohneck soon took the lead from Mellby Jinx, which left Borups Victory first over with Go On Boy following behind.

In the home stretch, Derieux gave his Go On Boy the signal and the French trotter flew to an outstanding win in 1:50.

Replay here.

“It’s just incredible,” Derieux said. “Go On Boy is a super horse and after so many runner-up performances in big races, he deserved this win and I’m very happy and touched by this moment.”

The win this year was established in the elimination heat, where Derieux just focused on bringing his horse into the final. It was a clever move. The only horse racing with shoes in the final, Go On Boy, had plenty of power to use when it was required the most. It was a typical French tactic and fans were left to bow and say: Bravo!

Don Fanucci Zet, cleverly driven by France’s Paul-Philippe Ploquin, finished second while Hohneck (France) held bravely to claim the bronze medal.

The French winners in the three previous years were: Horsy Dream (Eric Raffin) in 2024, Hohneck (Gabriele Gelormini) in 2023 and Etonnant (Anthony Barrier) in 2022.

The most recent Swedish winner was Don Fanucci Zet (Örjan Kihlström) in 2021.

Interestingly, all of the above, except Horsy Dream, competed in this year’s Elitloppet, with Don Fanucci Zet and Hohneck making the final.

The lone North American hopeful, Logan Park — driven by Doug McNair and trained by Rob Fellows — represented Canada but finished last in their heat and failed to advance to the final.

In the first heat, the big hope from Sweden, Francesco Zet, was too fired up in the post parade and driver Kihlström had to fight with his horse, who didn’t listen to his driver’s commands. Francesco Zet more or less ran away from the scene just minutes before the race.

In the race, he got a second over position with Daniel Wäjersten’s Mellby Jinx (Ready Cash) in the lead. Mats E. Djuse sat in the bike and looked very comfortable as Mellby Jinx kept a high, even pace while Francesco Zet and Go On Boy had to leave for a three-wide attack before the last turn.

Go On Boy’s finish was great and his runner up-performance proved helpful for the final.

Mellby Jinx was outstanding from the lead and he claimed his elimination win in 1:50.4.

A Fair Day finished third from the pocket and Francesco Zet had to give everything claiming a spot in the final by finishing fourth.

Elimination 1 replay here.

Go On Boy looked like the future winner for Elitloppet final, but then we had to consider the second elimination, where the next big Swedish hope made his appearance: Borups Victory driven by his trainer Daniel Wäjersten.

Borups Victory found a perfect second over-spot from post 6, normally a great position and Wäjersten’s trotter finished well as the runner-up. The problem was that leader Don Fanucci Zet (Hard Livin), driven by Ploquin, was allowed to slow down the pace remarkably after the quick first quarter. Don Fanucci Zet won the elimination in 1:52.4, but the best impression from the heat came from Borups Victory. The earplugs were still in place as Borups Victory sprinted on to his second Elitloppet final in a row.

Hohneck finished third after an inside trip and Massimo Hoist posted a big upset to grab the fourth and last spot in the final.

Elimination 2 replay here.

ALLEGIANT OUTSTANDING IN DELICIOUS RACE

Daniel Redén-trained Allegiant (Tactical Landing) was the heavy favorite when 4-year-old mares met in the $100,000 Delicious race and after the American-bred trotter’s performance, the harness racing fans can put their hope in a female contender for Elitloppet 2026.

Allegiant was making her second start in Europe and after her first performance it was clear that the best 3-year-old filly in America in 2024 is something extra special.

From post 8 behind the car, Kihlström tried Allegiant from the start, but when five, six inside horses opened as quickly as Allegiant, Kihlström opted for a safe trip, far back of the field. That tactic turned out to be just right.

The pace was high in front as Robin Bakker defended his position behind Paul Hagoort’s Bourbonista and when Alessandro Gocciadoro’s Funny Gio landed outside after a half-mile, positioned three wide, Allegiant got her order to attack.

The Tactical Landing daughter showed speed rarely seen on a five-eighths mile track by a mare, and in the last turn, Allegiant was parked three wide, outside of the leading duo.

The homestretch became a one girl-show as Allegiant cruised to a superior win in 1:51.3.

Funny Gio was incredibly brave as the runner-up and leader Bourbonista held strongly as third.

Replay here.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE BY FREE TIME JEPSON

Gocciadoro put his trust in his Free Time Jepson (Face Time Bourbon) when the $100,000 4-year-olds elite was on the menu. A post 10 start behind horses meant that Gocciadoro had to make a move with a lap to go and when first choice Frank Gio’s driver Matthieu Abrivard very surprisingly opted not to answer the call from Gocciadoro, Frank Gio was stuck between horses in second over.

Gocciadoro noted that his toughest opponent was looking for racing room as he continued his three-wide attack.

At the same time, leader Keep Asking got a two-length advantage for Kihlström and when Free Time Jepson got close to the leader, a two-horse battle begun. Keep Asking was under hard pressure in the race’s initial half-mile and showed great morale as he tried to fight back against the outside Italian horse. Free Time Jepson won in 1:51.4, by a head and behind Keep Asking, Life On The Bluf finished strongly in third.

Frank Gio did nothing wrong behind the front horses, but the drive by Abrivard was questioned after the race. Frank Gio has been mentioned as one of the best 4-year-olds in Europe, but right now, Free Time Jepson holds the crown.

Replay here.

GINOSTRABLIGGI? NO, WISE GUY

One of the weekend’s main attractions, Philippe Allaire’s 3-year-old Ginostrabliggi, who was undefeated after the eight starts, entered the $200,000 Breeders Course final as the big favorite in the hands of Gabriele Gelormini. From post 9, starting behind horses, Gelormini found a nice spot in third over, which turned into an unintentional three-wide attack with 1,300 meters remaining in the race.

Gocciadoro suddenly left an inside position at that point and some kind of disturbance occurred. That situation forced Ginostrabliggi to attack for the first over position, outside of leader Eyeofthetiger.

Eyeofthetiger still looked strong when he suddenly went off-stride in the last turn and Ginostrabliggi was then supposed to sprint to the win.

But behind him, Per Nordström made a move behind his Wise Guy (Face Time Bourbon) and at mid-stretch it was clear that the big favorite would be bested by Wise Guy.

Wise Guy won in a world record mile rate of 1:54.1 over 1.3 miles.

Replay here.

SIX PACK FILLY STRONGEST IN BREEDERS COURSE FINAL

Paul Hagoort-trained Gourmet d’Arc (Six Pack) came to Solvalla’s $200,000 Breeders Course final for fillies unbeaten after four starts and after a thrilling battle, the 3-year-old showed talent, morale and strength as she won in a mile rate of 1:55.2 over 1.3 miles.

Gourmet d’Arc went to the front and everything looked safe for the leader until Gocciadoro threw away his Glamour Queen three wide up the backstretch. A two-horse battle began, with Glamour Queen seemingly sprinting to victory, but Gocciadoro used his horse’s speed a little bit too early and Gourmet d’Arc fought back and claimed the prestigious win for Robin Bakker.

Replay here.