by Thomas Hedlund

Elitloppet winner Etonnant (Timoko) will most likely be France’s contribution when The International Trot will be held at Yonkers on Oct. 15 and in Saturday’s (Sept 10) $200,000 Prix d’Eté over 2,700 meters, Richard Westerink’s 8-year-old was outstanding.

Anthony Barrier aimed for the lead and hit the front position with the big favorite. The race never became especially exciting and Etonnant was just better than the others on this Saturday.

A mile rate of 1:55.2 over 1.6 miles was an indication Etonnant will be in top shape if he crosses the Atlantic Ocean for an entry in International Trot.

HAMRE DOMINATED AT BJERKE

Norwegian top trainer Frode Hamre had plenty of chances to capture some of the big stakes races held at Bjerke racetrack in Oslo, Norway during the past weekend and on Sunday’s (Sept. 11) card, Hamre collected two big trophies.

In $200,000 Derby for 4-year-olds, Hamre’s stable had four out of 12 horses and when driver Åsbjörn Tengsareid hit the lead in the first turn behind Hamre’s Charleston Volo (Classic Photo), the path to victory was pretty much free from obstacles. Charleston Volo was under some pressure from outside trotter Alegrito on the back stretch, but the leader was the stronger horse and he defended himself when good finisher Amazing Justice challenge for the win over the stretch.

Charleston Volo won safely in a mile rate of 1:59 over 1.6 miles.

“This was the dream scenario before the race, that we could hit the lead without spending too much power. Charleston Volo has been the best horse in the crop and proved that once again as he did his best performance so far in his career,” said Tengsareid after the victory.

Hamre’s Code Young finished third and his Thai Greenwich was fourth.

In the $150,000 Kriterium for 3-year-olds, Lars Anvar Kolle drove Thai Michigan (Broadway Hall) for Hamre and as he hit the wire as a winner, tears filled his eyes, which is easy to understand. Kolle owns Thai Michigan together with his daughter Helene and the race itself became spectacular when Thai Michigan defended himself strongly from the lead while first choice Petho, who was undefeated after three starts ahead of the race, put some hard pressure on the outside during the races’ last half mile.

Thai Michigan and Petho left the rest of the field as they turned for home and the inside trotter held on to safe win in a mile rate of 1:59.4 over 1.3 miles.

In the $200,000 Derby for mares, Dyess (S.J.’s Caviar), paired with Eirik Höitomt, flew far outside over the stretch after a trip far back in the field and the duo captured the trophy safely ahead of quick finisher Katja B.R. The mile rate for winner Dyess was 1:58.3 over 1.3 miles.

The 3-year-old fillies had the $150,000 Kriterium on Saturday’s race card and Lucky Chucky filly L.A.’s Venus, driven by Tengsareid, had the right luck on the road to victory. Nancy Lou swept the field and flew to the lead in the last turn and when early leader Lexie B.R. went off stride shortly thereafter, L.A.’s Venus could use her speed without too many obstacles in front of her as the home stretch began. L.A.’s Venus bested new leader Nancy Lou and hit the wire as winner in a mile rate of 2:00.1 over 1.3 miles.