by Thomas Hedlund

Four-year-old top trotter Joviality left trainer Marcus Melander’s stable this spring and the Chapter Seven daughter is now ready to make her debut on European soil.

Trainer Sabine Kagebrandt has, together with owner Courant Stable, aimed for the $200,000 Drottningpokalen at Åby racetrack on May 6 as a first step on the horse’s journey in her new home country. The elimination heats are on Åby’s race card today (April 21).

Jovialty, with a record of 20-4-2 from 28 career starts, drew post three behind the gate. Erik Adielsson will be her driver.

Elimination heats for the $200,000 Kungapokalen will also be held today. There will be four heats in each division. The top three horses qualify for the final on May 6.

ETONNANT FROM POST EIGHT

Richard Westerink’s Elitloppet winner Etonnant (Timoko) continues to race in his home country France before a start in this year’s Elitloppet at the end of May. On Saturday (April 22), he will face well merited opponents in the $215,000 Prix de l’Atlantique at Enghien racetrack in Paris.

Some really strong horses show up at Enghien and Etonnant will have to compete at his highest level if he’s going to beat his fellow competitors. Horsy Dream, also invited to the Elitloppet this year, is just one of many good trotters in the race where Etonnant will start from post eight behind the gate.

Four-year-old trotters will battle in the $125,000 Prix de Tonnac-Villeneuve the same day at Enghien and among the contenders, the Philippe Allaire-trained Just A Gigolo makes his comeback at the track. The dominant French bred hasn’t started since Jan. 8 and will face tough opponents in his chase for another group victory.

PRIX DE L’ATLANTIQUE 2023

2,150 meters

Horse — Driver

1. Emeraude de Bais — Franck Nivard

2. Elvis du Vallon — David Thomain

3. Frisbee d’Am — Yoann Lebourgeois

4. Hohneck — Gabriele Gelormini

5. Fakir du Lorault — Mathieu Mottier

6. Delia du Pommereux — Pierre-Yves Verva

7. Callmethebreeze — Alexandre Abrivard

8. Etonnant — Anthony Barrier

9. Gently de Muze — Jean-Michel Bazire

10. Horsy Dream — Eric Raffin

11. Kennedy — Veli Pekka Toivanen

12. Fric du Chene — Francois Lagadeuc

13. Go On Boy — Romain Derieux

14. Cash Bank Bigi — Benjamin Rochard

GOCCIADORO CHASES BIG WIN

Alessandro Gocciadoro will send his Bengurion Jet to Seinäjoki in Finland this Saturday (April 22), where the $145,000 Seinäjoki Race over 2,100 meters is scheduled.

Bengurion Jet was strong as the runner up behind San Moteur two weeks ago and when Gocciadoro’s trotter starts from post two behind the gate, the task seems interesting for the Italian horse and trainer.

The Finnish home team has its strongest ammunition in Hierro Boko, who won the $100,000 Bergsåker Winter Trot in February.

SEINÄJOKI RACE 2023

2,100 meters

Horse — Driver

1. Mandela Zon — Jorma Kontio

2. Bengurion Jet — Alessandro Gocciadoro

3. El Indeed — Hannu Torvinen

4. Shackhills Twister — Jari Kinnunen

5. Hierro Boko — Mika Forss

6. Mister Hercules — Örjan Kihlström

7. Readly Lavec — Oskar J Andersson

8. Consalvo — Ari Moilanen

9. Borups Victory — Daniel Wäjersten

10. Global Withdrawl — Santtu Raitala