Epic Kronos puts on a show in Åby Stora Pris

by Thomas Hedlund

Three laps, 3,140 meters and a demanding pace made no difference to Epic Kronos.

The son of Muscle Hill delivered a spectacular performance in Saturday’s (Aug. 15) $300,000 Åby Stora Pris, giving trainer Daniel Redén another major victory.

Björn Goop was aggressive from the outset and determined to reach the front. French visitor Ibiki de Houelle left quickly, but Goop kept pressing and finally cleared to the lead with Epic Kronos after a sharp :27 opening quarter.

Once on top, Epic Kronos became somewhat keen and pulled hard on Goop, normally a less-than-ideal scenario in a race stretching more than three kilometers.

It didn’t matter.

Ibiki de Houelle followed comfortably in the pocket, and the leading pair opened a gap of approximately 20 meters on the rest of the field. By then, it was apparent they had stolen away from their rivals, and were simply too good to catch.

Epic Kronos shook free of Ibiki de Houelle by a couple of lengths in the stretch and completed the 3,140 meters in a 1:55.2 mile rate.

MAHARAJAH SONS FINISH 1-2 IN FINNISH TROTTING DERBY

Make Cash produced the biggest upset of Saturday’s (Aug. 15) Finnish Trotting Derby at Vermo, wearing down Magnitude in the final strides of the $250,000 classic.

Jukka Torvinen sent Make Cash (Maharajah—Daze) three-wide with 400 meters remaining, and the Markku Nieminen trainee quickly closed on pacesetter Magnitude.

Magnitude fought gamely all the way to the wire, but Make Cash got his head in front just before the finish to score at odds of 22-1 in a 1:57.2 mile rate for 2,620 meters.

Magnitude, also a son of Maharajah, was credited with the same time in second, while Stonecapes Yoda (Southwind Frank) finished third after a pocket trip.

Favorite Ancio (Nuncio), also trained by Nieminen, made a break while leading after 300 meters but recovered remarkably well to finish fifth for Santtu Raitala.

It was the second major victory of Make Cash’s career. Last season, he captured the €68,400 Finnish Breeders Crown final.

Also, on the Vermo card, Massimo Hoist captured the $60,000 Finnish championship for the second consecutive year.

NUEVO STEPS UP IN CRITÉRIUM PREP

Thierry Duvaldestin entered Friday’s (Aug. 14) $125,000 Prix Abel Bassigny at Enghien with three serious contenders, but it wasn’t the most highly regarded member of his trio who came out on top.

Nuevo Cash (Ready Cash) was favored in the first major prep for the Critérium des 3 Ans, but struggled with his gait before making a break from fourth-over with approximately 1,000 meters remaining.

Nickel de Baille (Galius) and Mathieu Mottier controlled the early pace with previously unbeaten Nuevo (In The Money) racing first-over.

Clément Duvaldestin made his move down the backstretch, sending Nuevo aggressively after the leader. He cleared to the front and opened several lengths on the field around the final turn.

Nat King Cole (Ready Cash), who had started fourth along the rail, found his way to the outside down the backstretch and David Thomain launched his pursuit turning for home.

But Nuevo had built too big an advantage.

Although Nat King Cole and Nuevo’s stablemate Net Money (In The Money) both closed strongly, Nuevo had enough left to capture the semi-classic in a 1:56 mile rate for 2,150 meters.

The victory was his fifth straight and represented a significant step up in class for a colt who had never previously competed for a purse of this magnitude.

NOCIVE DU CHOQUEL MAKES EARLY EXIT

The return of French 3-year-old filly leader Nocive du Choquel didn’t go according to plan in Friday’s $125,000 Prix Reine du Corta.

The heavily favored daughter of Face Time Bourbon was being maneuvered into a second-over position around the opening turn when she broke stride and was disqualified.

That left the door open for Normandie Niemen (Italiano Vero).

David Thomain sent the Philippe Allaire trainee to the lead after approximately 600 meters, and from there the outcome was never seriously in doubt.

Normandie Niemen, winner of the €150,000 Prix Roquépine at Vincennes last winter, controlled the remainder of the race and coasted home alone in a 1:57 mile rate for 2,150 meters.

MILA DES COUPERIES WINS FIVE-WAY THRILLER

The $125,000 Prix Paul Leguerney for French-bred 4-year-old fillies produced one of the most exciting finishes of Friday’s Enghien card, with five horses battling for the victory deep into the stretch.

Favorite Magic Night (Helgafell) endured a brutal trip for Paul-Philippe Ploquin, racing three- and four-wide around the opening turn before continuing forward to take command.

The early exertion eventually took its toll, and the Philippe Allaire trainee began to weaken over the final 200 meters.

Marinella Vrie (Singalo) and Mathieu Mottier had surrendered the lead to Magic Night and waited patiently for room, while Alexandre Abrivard had positioned Mila des Couperies (Dragon des Racques) second-over before launching her attack with 250 meters remaining.

Suddenly, contenders were everywhere.

Marinella Vrie found room between horses and accelerated sharply, but came up a nose short as Mila des Couperies prevailed in the photo in a 1:55.1 mile rate for 2,150 meters.

MACK DE BLARY DOES IT AGAIN

Mack de Blary followed his recent Prix de Milan victory with another impressive performance, capturing Friday’s $125,000 Prix Phaeton for 4-year-olds.

The son of Face Time Bourbon faced a daunting task when Théo Duvaldestin sent him three-wide with a little more than 1,000 meters remaining.

Up front, Manaslu and Yoann Lebourgeois were setting a strong pace, leaving Mack de Blary with considerable ground to make up.

He did just that.

Mack de Blary relentlessly closed the gap and took command with approximately 150 meters remaining, scoring in a 1:53.2 mile rate for 2,150 meters in the semi-classic event.

LOVINO BELLO HOLDS OFF LEARN TO FLY

Favorite Lovino Bello delivered from the front in the $125,000 Prix Louis Jariel, holding off Learn To Fly in the semi-classic for 5-year-olds.

Éric Raffin sent Lovino Bello (Village Mystic—Louvina Bella) to the lead after approximately 200 meters, while Learn To Fly settled directly behind him in the pocket.

Learn To Fly was angled out for his challenge in the stretch and briefly appeared capable of making things interesting, but Lovino Bello responded.

The favorite held his rival safely at bay by just over a length, stopping the timer in a 1:52.4 mile rate for 2,150 meters.

MENZA MAKES IT 13-FOR-13

Menza, the unbeaten son of Readly Express made Sunday’s Jydsk 3-årings Grand Prix at Aarhus look easy, collecting DKK 393,000 while extending his career-opening winning streak to 13.

Menza, out of Enya B.R., couldn’t protect the rail initially, but Birger Jørgensen quickly moved him to the outside and regained control of the race after approximately 500 meters.

From there, it was essentially a one-horse show.

Malthe S.H. was the only rival able to stay close from the pocket, and Casper M. Nielsen angled him out for a stretch challenge, but Menza immediately responded and drew away with ease.

Menza crossed the wire in a 2:01.4 mile rate for 2,360 meters, remaining undefeated through the first 13 starts of his career.