by Thomas Hedlund

Bjerke, Oslo will play host to the prestigious $200,000 Oslo Grand Prix for older elite trotters over 2,100 meters on Sunday (June 8) and some of the most interesting horses in Europe will gather behind the gate.

Björn Goop and San Moteur’s entourage opted to stay out of Elitloppet, instead aiming for Europe’s big races over distances like the Oslo Grand Prix where two heats are not required.

San Moteur got post 1 behind the gate, which will be quite spectacular as stablemate, and quick opener, Betting Pacer will start from post 4. There is probably no risk that Goop will be locked inside with the probable first choice, but the road to victory will be more difficult.

Among the toughest opponents, Kentucky River, Executive Ek and Önas Prince can be mentioned.

The home team put its hope on Gundersen stable’s Devilish Hill and Elitloppet contender Charron.

Bjerke’s race card Sunday includes many great races where the Oslo Grand Prix, obviously is the highlight of the day.

OSLO GRAND PRIX 2025

2,100 meters

Horse — Driver

1. San Moteur — Björn Goop

2. Bedazzled Sox — Claes Sjöström

3. Kentucky River — Örjan Kihlström

4. Betting Pacer — Carl Johan Jepson

5. Devilish Hill — Magnus Teien Gundersen

6. Charron — Geir Vegard Gundersen

7. Hades de Vandel — Robin Bakker

8. Great Skills — Daniel Wäjersten

9. Executiv Ek — Alessandro Gocciadoro

10. Önas Prince — Per Nordström

FIRST OF MIND FIRST IN ROME

Alessandro Gocciadoro’s 4-year-old First Of Mind continues to collect big trophies and on Sunday (June 1) afternoon, the Face Time Bourbon son played with his opponents in the $175,000 Gran Premio Tino Triossi in Rome.

First Of Mind hit the lead and got company on the outside by stablemate Falco Killer Gar, but when Gocciadoro stepped on the gas pedal at the top of the stretch, First Of Mind left his challengers several lengths behind.

First Of Mind claimed the Italian Derby 2024 and finished second in the Orsi Mangelli later last fall. This year Gocciadoro’s trotter has won the $200,000 Anact Stakes Plus+.

Sunday’s victory was made in a mile rate of 1:55.4 over 1.3 miles.

SUPER SATURDAY AT VINCENNES

Vincennes opens its gates for some strong races on Saturday (June 7) and one of the most interesting horses in France at this moment, Inexess Bleu, will face Iguski Sautonne, Hooker Berry, Gaspar d’Angis and Ina du Rib, among others in the $130,000 Prix Chambon P over 2,850 meters.

The 4-year-old mares battle in the $130,000 Prix Guy le Gonidec over 2,700 meters and Sylvain Gerard Dupont trained Liberte de Choisel enters the track as undefeated at Vincennes after four attempts this year.

The boys will go the same distance as the female trotters in the $130,000 Prix Jules Thibault and it looks like Lovino Bello will be the horse to beat.

Kana de Beylev, Krack Time Atout, Kanto Avis and Kataki de Wallis are some of the trotters in the $130,000 Prix Jean le Gonidec for 5-year-olds and Sebastien Guarato’s Krack Time Atout makes his comeback after seven months away from the track.