Hohneck scores in Normandie going the “right way”
by Thomas Hedlund
Philippe Allaire-trained Hohneck (Royal Dream) was the big favorite when the $130,000 Criterium de Vitesse de Basse-Normandie was contested in Argentan, France on Saturday (Aug. 9) and driver Gabriele Gelormini played his cards perfectly on the right-way track.
Hohneck’s merits were outstanding when compared to his opponents and Gabriele Gelormini opted for an offensive tactic behind the 8-year-old colt. A three-wide initial strategy was just a cruising route towards the front position.
Hohneck seemed to enjoy the right-way track, even if it looked like the field of horses ran in a desert or on a sandy beach. He just flew as the field reached the home stretch. Hohneck hit the wire as a winner in 1:51.2.
DOUBLE DECEIVER CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
American-bred Double Deceiver (Cantab Hall) should have raced in the Hugo Åbergs Memorial two weeks ago, but was scratched due to problems with his throat, which meant that his condition and form were question marks when the $120,000 Jämtlands Stora Pris was contest at Östersund racetrack on Saturday (Aug. 9).
From post 8 behind the car, driver Örjan Kihlström had one big mission: getting a position in front of favorite Gio Cash, who started behind horses from post 10. Kihlström managed to find second over, first over and second over again when Hades de Vandel attacked three wide at the first back stretch.
Behind Double Deceiver, Gio Cash got great cover in third over. But when Daniel Wäjersten stepped on the pedal with 650 meters to go, Kihlström settled behind Hades de Vandel, trusting that the first over trotter would beat leader Mellby Joker. That did happen, but Double Deceiver didn’t look too eager to fight for the win as Gio Cash was strong three wide at the top of the stretch. Gio Cash seemed to sprint towards the wire as a winner, but between horses Double Deceiver found new energy and just before the finish pole, the 6-year-old gelding was first.
Double Deceiver won in a mile rate of 1:53.2 over 1.3 miles. Runner up Gio Cash will now travel to America where he will participate in Yonkers International Trot in September.
FIELD SET FOR ÅBY’S BIG HAPPENING
Åby racetrack outside of Gothenburg, Sweden, plays host to the $300,000 Åby Stora Pris over 3,140 meters next Saturday (Aug.16) and all 12 invitations have been made.
Önas Prince, Kentucky River, Mellby Jinx and Epic Kronos are some of the most merited trotters among the ١٢ contenders, and to be fair, Åby Stora Pris seems to struggle attracting the very best trotters in Europe when the purse is $300,000.
In 2024, Åby Stora Pris was named the Åby World Grand Prix and had a purse of $1 million that attracted some of the best trotters in the world. Horsy Dream won, Francesco Zet was runner up.
The race might very well be spectacular next week. Races over three laps often include maneuvers that cost too much in the end of the event and let’s hope that Sunday’s (Aug. 10) draw will make the Åby Stora Pris an open contest.
HORSES READY FOR ÅBY STORA PRIS 2025:
Önas Prince
Mellby Jinx
Kentucky River
Epic Kronos
Immortal Doc
Harpy
Dancer Brodde
Staro Mack Crowe
Dundee As
Macahan
Vallatonian
Mainstage
DERIEUX PUT ASIDE DUE TO DOPING
Elitloppet winning-trainer Romain Derieux (Dijon 2019, Go On Boy 2025) has been suspended for three months by the French Harness Racing Association and the future of Go On Boy is uncertain. At least, the uncertainty is about who will train the top French horse when some really big races approach later this fall.
Go On Boy is the European leader in the Grand Circuit-race and it would be very strange if the 9-year-old Password son wouldn’t show up in the final, a race in which he was victorious in 2024.
Derieux was suspended at the end of July, due to a positive doping test on one of his horses that started in Cagnes-sur-Mer in February. French media Paris-Turf reported in July: “Romain Derieux-trained horses have tested positive twice previously in the last five years and the federation sentences him to a three-month suspension starting July 26 and a fine of 7,500 euros.”
The $500,000 final of UET Elite Circuit will be held at Solvalla on Oct. 11. Åby Stora Pris is the circuit’s next event, followed by Campionato Europeo in Cesena on Sept. 6 and Grand Prix de Wallonie in Mons on Sept. 20.
UET ELITE CIRCUIT 2025
Horse – Points
1. Go On Boy – 65
2. Always Ek – 42
3. Önas Prince – 40
4. Don Fanucci Zet – 37
5. Borups Victory – 37
6. Kentucky River – 29
7. Emeraude de Bais – 24
8. Inmarosa – 21
9. Executiv Ek – 20
10. Daim Brodda – 19
11. A Fair Day – 17
12. Dany Capar – 17
13. Ampia Mede Sm – 15
14. Massimo Hoist – 15
15. Hohneck – 15
