Despite tough trip, Nightlife In best in E3
by Thomas Hedlund
The colts and geldings’ division of the $300,000 E3 final in Örebro ended with victory for the runner-up in the prior edition of the race, in July. David Persson’s Nightlife In (Day Or Night In) started from post 9 behind horses, and in a sparkling event, Nightlife In proved outstanding over his 3-year-old opponents this day.
From a spot third over, Carl Johan Jepson tried to attack three wide on the backstretch, but when Recycle Cash and Rikard N. Skoglund tried an even tougher rush four wide, the game changed for Jepson.
Recycle Cash swept to the lead, but Nightlife In followed at the end of the last turn, and the latter had more power than the rest when the homestretch was reached.
Nightlife In won in 1:54.1, Recycle Cash was the runner-up ahead of Pure Count.
WALLIN’S SUCCESS CONTINUES WITH WIN IN E3 FOR FILLIES
Fredrik Wallin had two shots in the $300,000 E3 final for fillies, but it wasn’t the favorite Global Got It All who claimed the trophy, but stablemate Bonsse Garde (Makethemark), paired with Rikard N. Skoglund.
Wallin won the $300,000 Åby Stora Pris with Immortal Doc one week ago and his successful year as a trainer continued on Saturday (Aug. 23) afternoon when Bonsse Garde bested her opponents, despite a pretty tough first over trip.
Global Got It All had the lead with stablemate Bonsse Garde on her outside, but in the last turn, Skoglund felt that he had the leader beaten. Bonsse Garde won in a Swedish record 1:53.4.
Love To The Limit finished second, and Global Got It All was third.
EASY JOG IN YEARLING CUP FOR MACK DE BLARY
Thierry Duvaldestin trained Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon) entered Saturday’s (Aug. 23) $165,000 Yearling Cup at Vincennes as the big favorite.
The 3-year-old Face Time Bourbon son came with six wins in 10 attempts and Mack de Blary has been in the top of the French M-crop since he began his career last year.
Theo Duvaldestin aimed for the lead early into the race and his mission succeeded as Mack de Blary hit the front position in the first turn.
The race’s second choice, Magic Night, who won the $125,000 Prix Reine du Corta one week ago, made an early break and lost lots of meters to the front runners, but Paul-Philippe Ploquin still opted for an offensive tactic as he attacked three wide before the uphill part of the track and eventually landed outside of the leading favorite.
In the last turn, Theo Duvaldestin just let Mack de Blary stretch out and the horse simply jogged to a safe win in a mile rate of 1:57.3 over 2,700 meters.
Magic Night was brave as the runner-up, and Mistral Castelle finished great in third.
ROMANOV COMERY IMPRESSIVE IN FINNISH DERBY
Santtu Raitala steered 4-year-old Romanov Comery (Orlando Vici) in the $220,000 Finnish Derby at Vermo racetrack on Saturday (Aug. 23) afternoon and after a very well-disposed drive, Raitala expressed great joy as he crossed the finish line as the winner.
Romanov Comery found a nice third over spot when the field was showing up in front of the tribune for the first time, but Raitala felt that the pace was slow and he had to act. So, with 1,900 meters to go, Romanov Comery attacked three wide and with a mile remaining in the 2,620 meter race, he connected on leader Bushmills’ outside.
In the last turn, Raitala seemed to have plenty of power in his reins and when Romanov Comery reached the top of the stretch, he left his opponents several lengths behind.
Raitala showed his happiness when he understood that he claimed the prestigious race for the second year in a row. Lightning Stride was his winning horse in 2024.
Romanov Comery won in a mile rate of 1:58.3 over 1.6 miles.
BWT Jackpot was second, and Where’s The Party was third.
MASSIMO HOIST FINISHES FINE IN FINLAND
Jukka Hakkarainen’s Massimo Hoist (Muscle Hill) was pushed to the lead after 500 meters when the $55,000 Finnish Championship was held at Vermo racetrack on Saturday (Aug. 23) afternoon and when driver Hannu Torvinen reached the front position, Massimo Hoist proved to be too hard to beat.
Massimo Hoist sprinted to a safe win in a mile rate of 1:55 over 1.3 miles.
