Swedes dominated the derbies in Denmark
by Thomas Hedlund
Adrian Kolgjini and Joakim Lövgren, two trainers from Jägersro, Malmö, close to Copenhagen in Denmark, were in the favorite positions when the $160,000 Derby for mares and the $270,000 Derby were held at Charlottenlund, Copenhagen last weekend.
Adrian Kolgjini had Kilimanjaro Face (Googoo Gaagaa) in the Derby for mares on Saturday (Aug. 30) afternoon and the race’s big favorite was pushed to the lead with a mile to go, but the front position is something Kilimanjaro Face likes. Everything seemed calm for Kolgjini in front of the field, but the home stretch developed into something more exciting than expected.
Kaley D.C. approached strongly and Michael Lönborg’s horse seriously challenged the leading favorite as the wire got closer. At the same time, Kilimanjaro Face showed willingness to win as she fought back on the inside and claimed the first Derby triumph for Kolgjini. His father, Lutfi Kolgjini, won the Swedish Derby two times as a trainer, with Joke Face and Mosaique Face.
Kilimanjaro Face captured the Danish Derby for mares in a stakes record mile rate of 1:55.3 over 1.3 miles.
And in Sunday’s (Aug. 31) $270,000 Derby, another trotter trained in Sweden became the bettors’ first choice. Joakim Lövgren trained Kreadlys Lew (Readly Express) entered the Derby with, probably, great confidence after an impressive elimination-win two weeks earlier.
Lövgren took a safe start in the 3,000-meter race and Kreadlys Lew eventually was spotted in second over, a position Lövgren opted to switch for a first over trip midway into the race. But surprisingly, Kreadlys Lew overtook the lead, and when he also acted calmly in front, it looked good for the favorite.
In the last turn, Lövgren sat relaxed and looked for challengers attacking him, but he couldn’t see any serious threats getting closer, so at the top of the stretch, he just let Kreadlys Lew show how outstanding he was this day and the duo crossed the wire in a mile rate of 1:58.4 over 1.85 miles.
GOCCIADORO DOMINATED IN TURIN
Alessandro Gocciadoro won both divisions of the Gran Premio Carlo Marangoni in Turin, Italy on Saturday (Aug. 30) night.
The $160,000 division open for all 3-year-olds was won by Gocciadoro’s Guglielmo Jet (Maharajah), paired with Santo Mollo.
Guglielmo Jet was served a trip third on the inside and racing room appeared late for the 3-year-old Maharajah son. The ground saving trip meant that Guglielmo Jet had plenty of gas to use and he won easily in 1:59 over 1.3 miles.
Gocciadoro sat in the bike behind Glamour Queen (Face Time Bourbon) in the $70,000 fillies’ division and the duo was superior to the rest of the field when Gocciadoro hit the lead. Glamour Queen appears to be the best filly in the Italian G-crop and she won the Gran Premio Carlo Marangoni in 1:57.3.
Gocciadoro went on with racing Sunday (Aug. 31) in Italy, this time in Follonica, where his top 4-year-old Free Time Jepson (Face Time Bourbon) was expected to win the $70,000 Gran Premio Citta di Follonica.
But Free Time Jepson was hardly in his best condition as he became easy prey for the winner Freyr Di Venere and Giampaolo Minucci (the driver of Varenne). Freyr Di Venere left quickly and eventually found a third inside spot before he could attack leader Free Time Jepson in the stretch.
Freyr Di Venere won in a strong mile rate of 1:54 over 1.3 miles and Free Time Jepson finished fourth in 1:54.3.
