Derby-Weekend

Kolgjini Dominance

Lutfi Kolgjini had another extraordinary weekend when Nadir Kronos won the Italian Derby, The Derby Italiano del Trotto, and Sebastian K finished second in the European Trotting Derby, the Grand Prix de l’UET last Sunday (October 10). Altogether, the Kolgjini-trained horses banked more than $600,000 in a day, and that only a week after the victory in the Kriterium and one month after the victory in the Swedish Trotting Derby which added in $480,000 to the team's already fantastic result with almost 200 victories and more than $4,330,000 in the purse so far.

Kolgjini’s Second Triumph in Derby Italiano del Trotto

The $445,000 Derby Italiano del Trotto was contested at the Tordivalle track in Rome for Italian-bred 3-year-old trotters. The Swedish owned Nadir Kronos, driven by Andrea Guzzinati, breezed home the Derby at 1.14,3/2100a (1:59.3) over the 1-5/16^th mile distance. He was immediately sent to the lead and from that position, the Kolgjini trained colt was never challenged. Nadir Kronos finished second behind Raja Mirchi in the Ulf Toreson Memorial and has now been on the board eight out of 14 lifetime starts and has $570,000 on his bankroll. The son by sire Varenne and dam Crown Kronos (by Supergill) was the most expensive sale on the Kolgjini auction in July this year, the new owners paid 224,000 and got immediate return. Nadir Kronos' victory was Kolgjini’s second triumph as a trainer in Derby Italiano del Trotto since Glen Kronos with Roberto Andreghetti defeated Going Kronos and Lutfi Kolgjini in 2006.

Sebastian K added $159,000

Kolgjini himself was in France, at Le Croise-Laroche to drive the Swedish Derby winner Joke Face in the $318,000 Grand Prix de I’UET for European-bred-4-year-old trotters. Joke Face had post one behind the gate, but could not open quickly enough, whereas Kolgjini’s second horse Sebastian K with Dominik Locqueneux in the bike got a better position behind Red Hot Dynamite in the lead. The favorite Sam Bourbon with driver Jean-Pierre Dubois was parked outside the leader with Main Wise As trailing. Sebastian Ernault moved Main Wise As three wide before the homestretch, and when the favorite Sam Bourbon went off stride, Main Wise As could win with half a length at 1.12,2/2000 meters (1:56.1 over 1-1/4^th miles). Sebastian K was locked behind the winner and finished second before Sereno.

Bred in Italy, Dutch Owners, Trained in France

Main Wise As (by sire Yankee Glide) was born in Italy and has always been considered a top colt, but his former Dutch trainer and driver Hugo Langeweg Jr has often been criticized for his modest performance in the bike. The horse was transferred to Pierre Levesque’s care a few months ago, but under the licensed trainer Sebastian Ernault. Pierre Levesque serves a doping sentence and is excluded from training.