Europe’s elite clash in Naples
by Thomas Hedlund
Sunday’s (May 10) edition of the $770,000 Gran Premio della Lotteria in Naples once again confirmed its status as Europe’s third biggest race for older trotters. The Italian classic was contested in three eliminations and a final.
Free Time Jepson (Face Time Bourbon—Titty Jepson) proved best in the stretch of the opening elimination for Andrea Guzzinati after tracking cover from fourth-over. The winning time was a sharp 1:52.1 mile rate. Frank Gio (Face Time Bourbon) finished second after racing first-over early before finding cover second-over, while Follia d’Esi (Ringostarr Treb) closed strongly for third after a late opening from the pocket.
The second elimination turned into a gate-to-wire display by Cobra Killer Gar (Readly Express—Lady Killer Gar) for Gabriele Gelormini and trainer Erik Bondo. The duo blasted to the lead early and controlled the race throughout, scoring unchallenged in 1:53.2. Finalmente Par (Varenne) finished second from the pocket and Always Ek (Filipp Roc) took third.
The third elimination was all about Dubhe Prav (Robert Bi—Fancy Prav) and Santo Mollo. Quickly on the engine, Dubhe Prav coasted home in 1:54.2, while Ernesto Spritz (Maharajah) sprinted late for second from third along the rail. Funny Gio (Face Time Bourbon) held well first-over to finish third.
The final delivered plenty of drama. After posting the fastest elimination time, Andrea Guzzinati settled Free Time Jepson fourth-over and waited patiently before launching his bid midway down the stretch. The Alessandro Gocciadoro-trained 5-year-old exploded late and swept past the field with authority, stopping the clock in 1:54. Frank Gio turned in another huge effort. Matthieu Abrivard moved first-over with 1,300 meters remaining before yielding to Always Ek, driven by Magnus A. Djuse. Always Ek pressed leader Dubhe Prav but could not withstand Frank Gio’s stretch attack. Ernesto Spritz completed the trifecta after saving ground throughout.
Free Time Jepson enjoyed a breakout season in Sweden last year, winning both the $200,000 Konung Gustaf V:s Pokaland the $100,000 Fyraåringseliten, while also finishing runner-up in the $240,000 Sprintermästaren.
RECORDS TUMBLE AT VINCENNES
At Vincennes on Wednesday (May 6), David Thomain sent Philippe Allaire-trained Normandie Niemen (Italiano Vero—Best Lady) straight to the lead in the $125,000 Prix Masina for 3-year-old fillies. At one point she led by nearly 50 meters and completely outclassed the field, lowering the race record by 1.7 seconds. The new mark now stands at a 1:57.1 mile rate over 2,700 meters. The previous record had been shared by Lotta Bourbon and Magic Night. Norma Jeane (Feeling Cash) closed for second, while Nocive du Choquel (Face Time Bourbon) finished third from the pocket.
Neo de Joudes remains undefeated after another sparkling display in the semi-classic $125,000 Prix Paul Karle for 3-year-old colts. Driven by Eric Raffin, the Jean-Philippe Monclin trainee sat trapped third along the rail and didn’t find racing room until just over 100 meters from the wire. That was still enough. The son of Django Riff powered home to win convincingly in 1:57.4 over 2,700 meters, erasing Koctel du Dain’s previous race record of 1:58. Novecento (Earl Simon) finished second after following cover three-wide, while Not This Time (Ready Cash) took third from the pocket behind long-time leader and favorite Nob Hill.
FRENCH ELITLOPPET STARS PREP IN NORMANDY
Three French horses already invited to the Elitloppet are set to line up in Saturday’s (May 9) $165,000 Prix des Ducs de Normandie at Caen. Defending Elitloppet champion Go On Boy will skip the race, but fellow invitees, Inexess Bleu, Idao de Tillard, and Jabalpur, are all entered over ٢,٤٥٠ meters.
FULL SPEED AHEAD IN HELSINKI
Vermo Racetrack hosts the $220,000 Finlandia-Ajo on Sunday (May 10), where an Elitloppet invitation awaits the winner. Following the draw, two horses appear especially well positioned: Keep Asking (Chapter Seven) and Mellby Knekt (Mellby Viking).
FINLANDIA-AJO FIELD
1. High On Pepper — Jorma Kontio — Katja Melkko
2. Need’Em — Iikka Nurmonen — Miika Tenhunen
3. Massimo Hoist — Hannu Torvinen — Jukka Hakkarainen
4. Mellby Knekt — Magnus A. Djuse — Timo Nurmos
5. Keep Asking — Örjan Kihlström — Daniel Redén
6. Diamond Truppo — Tommi Kylliäinen — Hanna Lepistö
7. Diva Ek — Alessandro Gocciadoro
8. Betting Pacer — Björn Goop
9. Gio Cash — Daniel Wäjersten
10. Combat Fighter — Santtu Raitala — Antti Ojanperä
PARALYMPIATRAVET TAKES CENTER STAGE
Saturday’s major card at Åbytravet is highlighted by the $٣٠٠,٠٠٠ Paralympiatravet final, but two major 4-year-old classics will also be decided.
Open-looking Queen’s Trophy
The $200,000 Drottningpokalen for 4-year-old fillies looks wide open.
Elimination winners included Gourmet d’Arc, Pure Athena, Milady Josselyn, Ursula, and Slipstream Zon but the final appears far from straightforward.
Redén loaded in Kungapokalen
The $200,000 Kungapokalen for colts and geldings features two U.S.-bred standouts from Daniel Redén: Variegated (Chapter Seven) and Blank (Gimpanzee). Neither won their eliminations, but both impressed and remain major contenders. Redén qualified four horses overall, including likely favorite Wise Guy (Face Time Bourbon). Redén also holds a strong hand in Paralympiatravet itself with Kentucky River and Francesco Zet.
PARALYMPIATRAVET 2026
1. Kentucky River — Carl Johan Jepson — Daniel Redén
2. Luke The Spook — Adrian Kolgjini
3. Harley Gema — Björn Goop — Marc Sassier
4. Powwow — Mats Djuse — Jan Kristian Waaler
5. Daim Brodda — Eirik Høitomt — Kjetil Helgestad
6. Francesco Zet — Örjan Kihlström — Daniel Redén
7. H.C.’s Crazy Horse — Daniel Wäjersten
8. Charron — Magnus Teien Gundersen — Geir Vegard Gundersen
9. Önas Prince — Per Nordström
10. Get A Wish — Robert Bergh
