by Thomas Hedlund

San Moteur (Panne de Moteur), the probable favorite in this year’s Elitloppet, was the heavy choice in the $295,000 Paralympiatravet final at Åby racetrack on Saturday (May 6) afternoon.

When driver Björn Goop hit the lead a half mile into the race, it was basically over.

Mister Hercules was pushed to the lead after 500 meters and Goop was quick to answer a few hundred meters later. When San Moteur hit the lead, the field was set.

San Moteur was challenged by a strong Hades de Vandel throughout the last turn, but when Goop asked for the extra gear in San Moteur, the duo flew away from the rest of the field.

San Moteur solidified his position as one of the best older trotters in Europe and he will enter the Elitloppet with a lot of expectations from the fans.

Hades de Vandel was a strong runner up while Rackham was third. The mile rate for San Moteur was 1:54 over 1.3 miles.

JOVIALITY WINS FIRST EUROPEAN TROPHY

Heavy favorite Joviality (Chapter Seven) was superior against her opponents when the $195,000 Drottningpokalen for 4-year-old mares was held at Åby racetrack on Saturday (May 6) afternoon.

Erik Adielsson noted soon after the starting car accelerated that he couldn’t reach the front position with Jovialty, so he played it safe and waited to connect to leader Riverdale Z’s outside with a kilometer to go in the 1.3-mile-long race.

Joviality’s previous merits and experience obviously played their part when the field was going into the last turn. When Adielsson pushed on Joviality’s power button, she immediately established a two-to-three-length advantage.

Sabine Kagebrant trains Joviality and it was a big day for her.

”Joviality was just… the best today and it’s very inspiring to have a horse like her in the stable,” said Kagebrant.

Joviality will be a fresh contribution to stakes races in Sweden later on this season and she will be the mare to hunt when the remaining group 1-races are held.

The mile rate for the winner was 1:56.3. Kayla Westwood finished strongly as runner up ahead of O’Mara Zon.

Courant Stable had a great day at Åby racetrack.

Jörgen Westholm trains their 5-year-old mare Imhatra Am (Muscle Hill) who impressed in a safe wire-to-wire win in the $49,000 Lovely Godivas Minne over 1.3 miles. Driver Mats E Djuse hit the lead and was determined to stay in that position when outside horses tried to reach the front. The race was kept in high pace and first choice Clarissa couldn’t challenge the leader, who left the opponents far behind at the top of the stretch. Imhatra Am flew to victory in a mile rate of 1:55.2.

UNDEFEATED TROTTER DANCED TO VICTORY

Johan Untersteiner-trained Dancer Brodde (Bold Eagle) came into the final of the $195,000 Kungapokalen as the bettors’ first choice after two wins in two attempts in 2023. Dancer Brodde climbed high on the career ladder during the fall of 2022 after winning the Breeders Crown for 3-year-olds in November. During the winter, the son of Bold Eagle seems to have developed every part that’s needed to become an accomplished trotter.

From post 1 behind the car, Untersteiner had a clear plan when the gate left the field. The front position was taken without any problems and when Untersteiner was allowed to slow down the pace before the last lap, the opponents never got close in the finish.

Tetrick Wania held strong in second after a first over trip, while Bedazzled Sox claimed the bronze medal from the pocket.

Dancer Brodde won in a mile rate of 1:55.2 over 1.3 miles.

Kentucky River (Father Patrick) had a strong wire-to-wire effort in the $49,000 Lyon Grand Prix over 1.6 miles. Per Nordström’s trotter had to defend himself from attacks throughout the race, but despite high pace, Kentucky River sprinted to a safe win in a strong mile rate of 1:56.1 over 1.6 miles.

NEW FRENCH NAME ADDED TO THE ELITLOPPET FIELD

French-bred Hohneck is ready for the Elitloppet at Solvalla on May 28.

Solvalla’s sports general Anders Malmrot invited the Philippe Allaire-trained 6-year-old Royal Dream son to the Elitloppet on Saturday (May 6). Nine horses are now invited to the Elitloppet, of which four are French-bred and trained.

HORSE INVITED TO THE 2023 ELITLOPPET:

Etonnant (France)

Horsy Dream (France)

Hohneck (France)

Go On Boy (France)

Vivid Wise As (Italy)

Just Believe (Australia)

Önas Prince (Sweden)

Don Fanucci Zet (Sweden)

San Moteur (Sweden)