by Thomas Hedlund

Sunday’s (June 8) $200,000 Oslo Grand Prix over 2,100 meters became a two-horse-stretch duel where Daniel Redén’s Kentucky River (Father Patrick) proved strongest after a tough first over trip.

The race started unfortunately as favorite San Moteur went off-stride from his post 1 behind the gate and basically at the same moment, both Bedazzled Sox and Great Skills followed the same track. So, with three horses out of the game, Per Nordström managed to send Önas Prince to the lead from post 10, which meant that Kentucky River and Örjan Kihlström had to race outside the leader.

Önas Prince and Kentucky River (trained by Per Nordström until the fall of ٢٠٢٣) battled down Bjerke racetrack’s homestretch and no one seemed willing to give up the fight. After a long time studying the finish photo, it was determined the Kentucky River, at last, got his big win in a Group 1 race and he did it in a mile rate of 1:54 over 1.3 miles.

Önas Prince was second, Devilish Hill third.

GINOSTRABLIGGI BACK IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

The winning streak ended abruptly in Sweden, at Solvalla, during the weekend of Elitloppet, but on Saturday (June 7) night, Philippe Allaire’s talented 3-year-old Ginostrabliggi (Muscle Hill) found the winning path again.

Ginostrabliggi came to Solvalla undefeated after eight starts and after the runner up-performance in Sweden, Allaire had the $165,000 Gran Premio Nazionale in Milan as his next target. 

Paired with Gabriele Gelormini, Ginostrabliggi controlled the race from the lead and easily claimed the Group 1 victory in a mile rate of 1:56.1 over 1.3 miles.

The $73,000 fillies’ division went to Alessandro Gocciadoro and his Gioconda Jet (Maharajah), who had her nose first at the wire after a serious challenge from pocket runner Giawa Wise L.

Gioconda Jet’s mile rate over 1,600 meters was 1:55.3.

TOP TROTTERS PAINT SATURDAY IN GOLD

As usual at this time of the year, the sun never goes down in northern Europe and traditionally, Boden in the north of Sweden, will play host to the $200,000 Norrbottens Stora Pris. The race is scheduled with a post time about one hour before midnight, which makes it possible for trainers and drivers to first compete in Kouvola, Finland where the $180,000 Kymi Grand Prix is held earlier the same day.

Daniel Wäjersten, Alessandro Gocciadoro, Mats E. Djuse, Rikard N. Skoglund and Björn Goop will all compete in the two top races and in Kouvola, and Wäjersten is on the hunt for his second win in a row with his Borups Victory.

The Australian entry in Elitloppet, The Locomotive, is still spending his time in Sweden and his first race after Solvalla’s big event will be in Boden. The Locomotive’s connections will most certainly experience an unusual show, especially if the sun shines in Boden on Saturday night.

$180,000 KYMI GP

2,100 meters

Horse — Driver

1. Crepe Match — Olli Koivonen

2. Holcombe Zet — Rikard N. Skoglund

3. Borups Victory — Daniel Wäjersten

4. Massimo Hoist — Hannu Torvinen

5. Banderas Bi — Alessandro Gocciadoro

6. Diva Ek — Mats E. Djuse

7. Decision Maker — Magnus A. Djuse

8. Ideal San Leandro — Björn Goop

9. Goeland d’Haufor — Ari Moilanen

10. Lightning Stride — Santtu Raitala

$200,000 NORRBOTENS STORA PRIS

2,140 meters

Horse — Driver

1. Chestnut — Björn Goop

2. Idomenio Sisu — Santtu Raitala

3. Dolce Viky — Alessandro Gocciadoro

4. The Locomotive — Ulf Ohlsson

5. Gio Cash — Daniel Wäjersten

6. Versace Face — Sandra Eriksson

7. High On Pepper — Jorma Kontio

8. Don Fanucci Zet — Örjan Kihlström

9. Castor The Star — Mats E. Djuse

10. Working Class Hero — Rikard N. Skoglund