Tanja Tooma dominates Sweden’s $240,000 Uppfödningslöpningen

by Thomas Hedlund

Sweden’s oldest classic for 2-year-olds, the $240,000 Uppfödningslöpningen, was contested Saturday (Nov. 22) at Jägersro — and it became a career highlight for trainer Fredrik B. Larsson, who only days earlier had announced the retirement of his star Milliondollarrhyme.

Tanja Tooma (Explosive Matter), driven by Magnus A. Djuse, controlled the race from the start and was never seriously threatened. In the final turn, the favorite Reagan Boko (Chelsea Boko) advanced on the outside, but the real danger came from behind — and Djuse made sure that Neutron Star (Gimpanzee) never found racing room in the pocket.

Tanja Tooma hit the wire in a mile rate of 1:59.1 over 1,640 meters. Neutron Star held second, while Reagan Boko finished third after a wide move 600 meters out.

A visibly moved Larsson said, “I couldn’t even dream of something like this. It’s felt impossible for us up in Stockholm to win this race. Then a horse like this comes along — the talent, the plan, and everything held all the way. One of my biggest wins ever.”

DUBHE PRAV SWEEPS PALIO DEI COMUNI

Dubhe Prav (Robert Bi—Fancy Prav) and Santo Mollo captured the 37th $165,000 Gran Premio Palio dei Comuni in Montegiorgio on Sunday (Nov. 23), delivering exactly what the bettors expected: speed from the front, and just enough to hold off all challengers.

In their elimination, Dubhe Prav won narrowly in 1:54.3, with Dolce Viky (Adrian Chip) chasing home from the pocket. The other heats went to: Emma Dei Veltri (Maharajah) in 1:56.2 and Ernesto Spritz (Maharajah) in 1:55.3.

In the Group 1 final, Dubhe Prav again blasted to the lead. Dolce Viky launched a brave challenge from the death seat, but Mollo’s horse always had the measure and pulled clear late to score in a mile rate of 1:53.4. Dolce Viky held second in 1:54, while Emma Dei Veltri finished third in 1:54.2.

GO ON BOY AIMING FOR PRIX DE BOURGOGNE

Elitloppet champion Go On Boy (Password) is on track for a December return, and trainer Romain Derieux confirmed on Equidia that the 9-year-old may resurface in Belgium before tackling the $125,000 Prix de Bourgogne on Dec. 28.

“He has just come back from his break,” Derieux said. “He’s training lightly. Last year he returned in the Prix de Bourgogne, but he had raced deeper into the season. This time he might start in Mons before heading to the Bourgogne.”

Go On Boy last raced in mid-July, winning the $125,000 Prix de Washington at Enghien in a sparkling 1:50.2 mile.