Redén goes 1-2 in Sundsvall Open Trot

by Thomas Hedlund

There was no catching newly-crowned world-record holder Epic Kronos in this year’s Sundsvall Open Trot.

And for trainer Daniel Redén, the victory marked his fourth consecutive win in the race.

When the gate folded, Robert Bergh quickly put Get A Wish (Wishing Stone) on the lead. But Bergh had no intention of fighting when race favorite Epic Kronos (Muscle Hill) came calling after approximately 450 meters and was allowed to take over. The pace heated up again shortly thereafter.

Daniel Wäjersten made an aggressive move with Kuiper, looking to clear Epic Kronos and get to the rail, but the leader had no trouble turning back Kuiper’s quick challenge after 550 meters.

Once that battle was over, Örjan Kihlström was able to back down the pace somewhat, and Epic Kronos looked terrific as he rolled along on the front end.

Kihlström spent most of the stretch simply keeping an eye on the competition. The biggest late threat came from Epic Kronos’ stablemate Kentucky River (Father Patrick), who finished strongly to take second.

Get A Wish held on well for third but never threatened the Redén pair.

“Winning this race four years in a row is unbelievable,” Kihlström said. “Epic gets away from the gate on his own and has really good speed. Robert decided to let us go, and then things got pretty quick for a while when Wäjersten tried for the lead.

“To compete at this level, a horse has to have everything, and he does. I don’t think he’s ever been in better form than he was today, and I assume the Prix d’Amérique will be the target this winter. He’s already shown that he likes it there.

“I wasn’t worried when Kentucky River came at us in the stretch. I hadn’t even had to pull anything on ‘Epic.’”

Epic Kronos captured the Sundsvall Open Trot in a 1:54.3 mile rate for 2,140 meters, with Kentucky River credited with the same time in second.

The victory was Redén’s fifth overall in the Sundsvall Open Trot.

He first won the race in 2015 when Delicious (Cantab Hall) set a world record. Hail Mary (Googoo Gaagaa) added another victory three years ago, while Francesco Zet (Father Patrick) was unbeatable in each of the past two editions.

Now Epic Kronos has extended Redén’s remarkable streak to four straight.

NOCIVE DU CHOQUEL DOMINATES PRIX ANNICK DREUX

Favorite Nocive du Choquel made easy work of Saturday’s (Aug. 29) $145,000 Group 2 Prix Annick Dreux for 3-year-old fillies over a rain-soaked track at Vincennes.

When pacesetter Normandie Niemen made her second break of the race with 1,200 meters remaining, Nocive du Choquel (Face Time Bourbon—Emone Cruz) inherited the lead after having enjoyed a pocket trip.

From there, the outcome was never really in doubt.

François Lagadeuc asked the filly for more in the stretch and Nocive du Choquel quickly opened daylight on her rivals, winning easily in a 1:58.4 mile rate for 2,700 meters.

“She was magnificent,” trainer Nicolas Bridault said after the victory.

Nyassa Daxel (Earl Simon) closed strongly for second after launching a three-wide move with 500 meters remaining, while Nikita (Impressionist) finished third after a ground-saving trip in third along the rail.

The victory provided immediate redemption for Nocive du Choquel following her break in the Prix Reine du Corta in her previous start.

Bridault’s filly already owns two Group 1 victories this season, the €200,000 Critérium des Jeunes and €200,000 Prix Albert Viel, in addition to victories in the semi-classic €120,000 Prix Une de Mai and €120,000 Prix Gélinotte at Vincennes.

MOLLY MADRIK SPRINGS PRIX GASTON DE WAZIÈRES UPSET

Eric Raffin pulled off an upset in the $125,000 Prix Gaston de Wazières, guiding 16-1 shot Molly Madrik to victory in a tight finish over favorite Madrid Haufor and Magic Night. The Jean-Michel Baudouin-trained Molly Madrik (For You Madrik—Feria Madrik) enjoyed a ground-saving trip behind the favorite before finding room in the stretch.

Once clear, the 4-year-old filly showed her turn of foot and got up shortly before the wire to win in a 1:56 mile rate for 2,700 meters.

Madrid Haufor (Real de Lou) was narrowly beaten in second, while Magic Night (Helgafell) finished third after advancing first-over and putting away pacesetter Mystic des Forges with 400 meters remaining.

MAESTRO VRIE GETS UP IN FIVE-HORSE THRILLER

Five horses were virtually across the track at the wire in Saturday’s $125,000 Prix Gaston Brunet for 4-year-old colts, and it was the richest horse in the field who got there first. Mathieu Mottier took a patient approach with Maestro Vrie (Village Mystic), trained by Louis Baudron, settling fourth along the rail after favorite Mentor de Play (Dahlia du Rib) had moved to the lead after 800 meters.

Mentor de Play soon came under enormous pressure from Jean-Michel Bazire and Mellow Speed (Galius), but Franck Blandin had no intention of surrendering the lead. The battle resulted in a blistering 500-meter section through the middle stages of the race.

Despite that pressure, Mentor de Play was still fighting on deep into the stretch. Then the closers arrived.

Maestro Vrie and Magic Man (Prodigious) suddenly appeared on the far outside, while Mellow Speed desperately searched for racing room behind the leader. That opening never came.

Maestro Vrie surged home to take the victory in a 1:56.2 mile rate for 2,700 meters, with Magic Man second and Mentor de Play third.

Maestro Vrie scored by far the biggest victory of his career in January when he shocked much of Europe’s leading 4-year-old crop in the €300,000 Prix Ourasi. Saturday’s performance offered further proof that he belongs among the leaders of his generation with the $330,000 Critérium des 4 Ans approaching.

All three Critérium championships will be contested at Vincennes on Sept. 12.

LORD DU BASSIN GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE IN PRIX JOCKEY

Lord du Bassin and Alexandre Abrivard found the front early in the $125,000 Prix Jockey, and from there the 5-year-old colt never gave his rivals a chance.

Once in command, Abrivard was able to dictate the pace, leaving the opposition with an impossible task trying to make up ground in the stretch.

The Laurent-Claude Abrivard-trained Lord du Bassin (Royal Dream—Falentina du Gîte), sent off at 12-1, remained comfortably in control and won in a 1:58.4 mile rate for 2,700 meters.

Lionheart (Falcao de Laurma) finished second after a pocket trip, while L’As Desbois (Booster Winner) closed well to finish third.

NAT KING COLE FIRES HOME IN PRIX JACQUES DE VAULOGÉ

Nat King Cole made a strong impression with a powerful stretch rally in Saturday’s $125,000 Prix Jacques de Vaulogé at Vincennes.

David Thomain waited until 400 meters remained before turning the Philippe Allaire trainee loose. When he did, Nat King Cole (Ready Cash—Deep Purple) responded immediately. Norman Pierji had no answer when Nat King Cole swept past at the top of the stretch, and Thomain drove his colt clear to a convincing victory in a 1:58 mile rate for 2,700 meters.

Nobel du Rib (Face Time Bourbon) closed strongly to finish second and was credited with the same time as the winner, while Norman Pierji (Face Time Bourbon) held third, one-tenth slower.

LEONORA WINS DANISH FILLY DERBY THRILLER

Leonora did it the hard way in the $85,000 Danish Filly Derby at Charlottenlund, prevailing by the narrowest of margins over pacesetter Lady Zola after spending the race first-over.

Heavy favorite Lipa Wee made a break while leading around the opening turn, allowing Lady Zola to take command. She was soon challenged for the lead, but Flemming Jensen elected to take back and settle into the pocket instead.

That left Leonora (Ens Snapshot—Irony of Fate) and Birger Jørgensen parked first-over.

Around the final turn, Jørgensen made sure that Late Night, trapped along the inside, wouldn’t find room too early. When an opening finally appeared near the top of the stretch,
Late Night was unable to become a serious factor in the
battle for the win. Instead, it came down to Leonora and Lady Zola.

The two fillies fought all the way to the wire, with Leonora getting her nose in front by the smallest possible margin to capture the Danish Filly Derby in a 1:56.4 mile rate for 2,000 meters. Lady Zola (Zola Boko) was a heartbreaking second, with Late Night (Great Challenger) third.