by Thomas Hedlund

As the heavy favorite in Sunday’s (Sept. 1) $800,000 Derby in Sweden, Timo Nurmos’ Fame And Glory (Tactical Landing) fulfilled all expectations and captured the second $800,000 win of his career.

Björn Goop sat in the bike and did everything right behind the talented Fame And Glory, who easily overtook the lead after some 500 meters as early leader, the German trained Trogir, wanted a cover trip. And better cover than Fame And Glory is hard to get and to be honest, the Derby never got the pulse that races at this level often have. Fame And Glory is a dominant trotter, hard to beat and his opponents never really tried to challenge him during the race’s first mile. And when a mile is raced in the Derby, one kilometer remains and until then, nothing much happened. With a lap to go, second choice Epic Kronos landed outside of the big favorite and a duel between them could be imagined for a while on the last backstretch, just before the last turn. But as they turned for home, the advantage of Fame And Glory was solid and Goop celebrated when the victory was secured. Epic Kronos was a brave runner up and third, without racing room, was Global Etalon.

Replay here.

It was a mile rate of 1:56.1 for the winner Fame And Glory, who became the Swedish 2020 crop-king when he won the $800,000 Kriteriet last year and nothing points at the fact that he will be relocated from his throne.

A Norwegian trainer and driver celebrated after the $400,000 Derbystoet for 4-year-old mares. Daim Brodda (Readly Express-Dancing Inthehall) became the bettors’ first choice in the prestigious event and driver Eirik Höitomt was determined reaching the front position at an early stage. The Thor Borg trained mare possesses several qualities required to become a top trotter, not least of which are her quick legs and ability to keep the high pace all the way to the wire.

With Daim Brodda in front, the race was basically over and she sprinted to an easy win in a mile rate of 1:55.3 over 1.3 miles.

Mattias Djuse trained horses finished second and third behind Daim Brodda. First over trotter Dial Square held strongly as runner up ahead of stablemate Knickers Sisu.

MELKKO’S BIG DAY IN HELSINKI

Finnish born trainer Katja Melkko experienced some great moments when the $280,000 Derby in Finland was held at Vermo racetrack on Saturday (Aug. 31) afternoon. Her 4-year-old mare Lightning Stride (Twister Bi) came to the lead with a mile to go in the 2,620-meter race and thereafter an impressive performance started. Lightning Stride just flew on the lead and the opponents were desperately chasing her several lengths behind on the backstretch.

Driver Santtu Raitala could relax when he steered Lightning Stride into the homestretch and Melkko’s trotter won in a stakes record, mile rate of 1:56.4 over 1.6 miles.

Replay here.

Melkko could also enjoy a bronze medal for Relevant Stride, who made an early break and repaired that mishap strongly to finish third. Sands Hybrid was runner-up in a mile rate of 1:57.3.

BAZIRE’S STARS DOMINATED AT VINCENNES

Jean-Michel Bazire had a great day at the track on Saturday (Aug. 31) afternoon when Vincennes arranged a strong card for 3-, 4- and 5-year-old trotters.

Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash) started her career showing good capacity in 2023 and as a 3-year-old she seems to have developed in the right direction. The well-bred filly (out of Prix d’Amérique winner Belina Josselyn) has had all eyes on her since her debut in September last year and when the French-bred horses are getting ready for the upcoming stakes races, she has found a level that puts her in the pole position.

In Saturday’s $145,000 Prix Annick-Dreux, Liza Josselyn was pushed to the lead after a half mile and Bazire could control the race however he wanted. Liza Josselyn won comfortably in a mile rate of 2:00 over 1.6 miles and the future fall looks to be great for her.

Bazire continued by winning with his 5-year-old champion Jushua Tree (Bold Eagle), who jogged to victory from the lead in a mile rate of 1:56.1 over 1.6 miles in the $135,000 Prix Jockey. Jushua Tree will most certainly be Bazire’s big hope in next year’s Prix d’Amérique; the Bold Eagle son was allowed to race the big Grand Prix already in January this year, but Bazire chose to save his horse for the future. And the future looks bright for him.

In the $135,000 Prix Gaston-Brunet for 4-year-old colts, Gabriele Gelormini sat behind upset Kataki de Wallis (Charly du Noyer) and after a perfect cover trip behind leader Koctel du Dain, Kataki de Wallis finished best and won in a mile rate of 1:56.4 over 1.6 miles. Alain Chavette trains the winner.

Loulou de Mye (Cliff du Pommereux), trained by Romain Christian Larue, entered the $135,000 Prix J. De Vauloge after some really positive performances during the summer, but the horse had never won any races bigger than the $68,000 Prix Leopold Verroken before. Two wins in total in his career prior to Saturday’s start when the third came. Loulou de Mye followed as the fourth horse before Matthieu Abrivard opted for a position first over with a half mile to go and Loulou de Mye fought well when challengers attacked in the stretch. Loulou de Mye won in a mile rate of 1:57.2 over 1.6 miles.

Favorite Kana de Beylev (Express Jet) proved best after a third over trip in the $135,000 Prix G. De Wazieres for 4-year-old mares and William Bigeon’s horse won in a mile rate of 1:58.1 over 1.6 miles. Benjamin Rochard was in the bike behind Kana de Beylev.

FRANK GIO BEST IN TURIN

Driver Matthieu Abrivard left France for Italy on Sunday (Sept. 1) night and was successful behind Sébastien Guarato’s Frank Gio (Face Time Bourbon) in the $168,000 Gran Premio Carlo Marangoni in Turin.

Italian bred Frank Gio has battled strongly among tough French horses at Vincennes and he proved best when his friends from Italy tried to beat him in a mile rate of 1:57.1 over 1.3 miles.

Face Time Bourbon filly Funny Gio won the filly division of the $75,000 Gran Premio Carlo Marangoni. Her trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro sat in the bike and Funny Gio won in 1:56.1.