Åby Stora Pris draw made the 3,140-meter event more open
by Thomas Hedlund
Saturday’s (Aug. 16) big event at Åby racetrack, the $300,000 Åby Stora Pris, is maybe not one of the strongest editions of the prestigious race, but after Sunday’s (Aug. 10) draw, it looks to be a spectacular show.
That said, post positions in an approximately 1.9 mile-long race are not as important as in shorter races. Still, horses known for their ability to leave quickly behind the gate will face numbers behind opponents, and both Mellby Jinx and Önas Prince will likely try to win by attacking from behind.
Things can happen, moves will be made, and who knows which horse will lead the race when the last lap begins.
$300,000 ÅBY STORA PRIS 2025
3,140 meters
Horse — Driver
1. Epic Kronos — Örjan Kihlström
2. Immortal Doc — Björn Goop
3. Macahan — Carl Johan Jepson
4. Dancer Brodde — Johan Untersteiner
5. Kentucky River — Rikard N. Skoglund
6. Harpy — Adrian Kolgjini
7. Vallatonian — Per Oleg Midtfjeld
8. Mainstage — Santtu Raitala
9. Mellby Jinx — Daniel Wäjersten
10. Dundee As — Mats E. Djuse
11. Önas Prince — Per Nordström
12. Staro Mack Crowe — Magnus A. Djuse
A WEDNESDAY NIGHT-WALK FOR FRANCESCO ZET
Daniel Redén’s super trotter Francesco Zet (Father Patrick) made his third start on Wednesday (Aug. 13) after his unlucky performance in Elitloppet in May.
Francesco Zet, who was bested, surprisingly, by Cash Bank Bigi in his comeback in July, continued by winning with very defensive tactics two weeks later. In the $30,000 Gävle Stora Pris in Gävle on Wednesday night, he looked just like Francesco Zet is supposed to look.
Stablemate Bengan took the lead and Örjan Kihlström just let Francesco Zet jog to the front position in the first turn and then nothing much happened. He won, in nice style, but the main thing about the start was the horse’s behavior.
“We had to start over, letting him rest after Elitloppet and it seems like ‘Francesco’ is getting better for each race now,” said Redén after the easy win. “He’s calm before and perfect in the races. He even has started to get his speed back.”
Redén and Kihlström had claimed the $30,000 Fyraåringsstjärnan for 4-year-olds earlier on the card. American-bred Keep Asking (Chapter Seven) played with his opponents from the lead in 1:53.2 and the horse is really interesting for the future of European racing.
According to Kihlström, Keep Asking is “the conclusion of how a horse should be.”
