Italian trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro had three great chances on Saturday’s (April 20) race card when Jägersro played host to the V75-event with eliminations for the Paralympiatravet. Not surprisingly, the yellow-suited Italian delivered.

Catullo Jet (Maharajah), owned by NBA star Nikola Jokic, impressed in a mile rate of 1:54.3 over 1.3 miles before Dany Capar (Exploit Caf) took a safe win from the lead in a mile rate of 1:56.1.

And the main course of the day was the elimination to Paralympiatravet, where Bengurion Jet (Maharajah) was the heavy favorite and the Italian-bred trotter proved that he will likely be a serious factor in all of the big races in 2024.

Bengurion Jet was pushed to the lead early in the race and, with an eager Indy Rock on the outside, the pace was set at a high level throughout. Bengurion Jet sprinted to superior win in a strong mile rate of 1:53.3 over 1.3 miles.

Bengurion Jet will be one of the favorites in the final at Åby on May 4.

MAPLE LEAFS STAR CELEBRATES BIG WIN IN FINLAND

Toronto Maple Leafs hero Mats Sundin, with 18 seasons in NHL and over 500 goals made for Vancouver, Quebec and Toronto, owns 6-year-old trotter Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) and when trainer and driver Daniel Wäjersten aimed for the $160,000 Seinäjoki Race in Finland on Saturday (April 20), Sundin got to celebrate after a solid win in a Finnish snowstorm.

Borups Victory did the heavy job outside of leader Phoenix Photo. When Daniel Wäjersten pushed the pedal at the back stretch, Borups Victory flew away from the rest of the field.

The remaining half-lap became a walk in the park for Borups Victory and he hit the wire in a mile rate of 1:56.2 over 1.3 miles.

Missle Hill finished strongly from third over as runner-up. Staro Mack Crowe showed great form in third after a trip far back in the field.

Borups Victory will probably be invited to Elitloppet after Saturday’s performance.

STAKES RECORD IN PARIS

Enghien racetrack in Paris played host to the $212,000 Prix de l’Atlantique on Saturday (April 20). Hohneck and Go On Boy, two horses already invited to Elitloppet in May, were chasing top shape in the 2,150 meters long race and Hohneck came out of the event with high grades.

But Hohneck was chanceless when Pierre Belloche trained Horsy Dream, driven by Eric Raffin, proved better than the rest after a third over trip. Horsy Dream (Scipion du Goutier), one of the favorites in Prix d’Amérique 2023, had a underwhelming meeting in Paris 2023-2024, but the last two starts prior to Saturday’s race show that Horsy Dream is closer to his top form.

Belloche’s trotter was outstanding in the Prix de l’Atlantique and came home in a mile rate of 1:53 over 1.3 miles, a new record for the race. This was definitely a performance that should end up in a ticket to all big European races this year if the horse’s entourage is adventurous enough

Hohneck held strongly for second ahead of quick finisher Elvis du Vallon.

Go On Boy, known for his strong finishes, had a bad day where he made a break when beaten in the stretch.