June 01, 2011

Elitloppet – once every year

Few days are as special as the last Sunday of May – each year. Elitloppet takes place at Solvalla in Stockholm and is the world’s biggest sprinter race for aged trotters with $480,000 to the winner. Two elimination heats over the English mile distinguish the winner from losers. To be in the final is a victory in itself, eight were privileged, but there can only be one winner.


It Is More Than Just a Race

Last Sunday (May 29) was a cold and rainy day, but just prior to the opening ceremony at noon, the sun came out and the rain stopped for a few minutes. By that time, Solvalla was packed – almost 35,000 people came to see the races live. A fantastic number considering the weather and the opportunity to follow the races live on TV. Apart from the final, a special event took place much earlier than that. The gates opened at 8.45 am, and the line of people who had been standing in the queue since early morning was a few hundred meters long. Once the gates opened, people ran to get the best seats, and it is such as treasured experience that people come back year after year. According to tradition, a few people also bring their sleeping bags and sleep outside the gates, just to get the best seats on the E-Terrace...


French Strength Showed the Way

Besides from having a spectacular audience, Elitloppet is all about the horses. Two elimination heats á eight horses in each lead up to a final with the same number of contestants. Rapide Lebel won the first heat from a position as third horse on the out side. He rounded the field with 500 meters left and sailed pass to a safe victory. The Royal Trophy winner Wishing Stone and the Lotteria winner Libeccio Grif finished second and third. German born Brioni and Canadian born Define The World battled in the lead and reach the first 500 meters at 1.06,6 (1:47.1). Naturally, they both got tired. Although, Define The World would have qualified to the final if driver Paul Macdonell had not overthrown Year In Review on the homestretch and rightfully got disqualified. With Year In Review out of the scene, Brioni got the last ticket to the final. A chance his trainer granted very well.


American Trained Stallion Breezed Home the Second Heat

The second elimination heat was Arch Madness’. Rakas followed the gate and sprinted to the lead, whereas Trond Smedshammer’s Arch Madness with Björn Goop in the bike took over after 500 meters. In that position, the American-born stallion was unbeatable and jogged home the last 500 meters at 1.08,7 (1:50.3). Norwegian-born Yarro Boko finished second and Rakas third, whereas Jerry Riordan’s Lisa America took the last final ticket to the final. After the draw, the following horses were ready for the final:

1. Arch Madness – Björn Goop
2. Rapid Lebel – Eric Raffin
3. Wishing Stone – Jean Michel Bazire
4. Yarra Boko – Ulf Ohlsson
5. Rakas – Per Lennartsson
6. Libeccio Grif – Marco Smorgon
7. Lisa America – Torbjörn Jansson
8. Brioni – Joakim Lövgren


Eight Potential Candidates
Few finals have been as open as this year’s edition. The heat winners Arch Madness and Rapid Lebel became the main favorites, however, none of them were quick enough from start to defend the lead. Once again, Per Lennartsson sent Rakas to the front while Rapid Lebel went off stride shortly. Björn Goop fought Jean Michel Bazire from start but Arch Madness came to the front after 600 meters, with Wishing Stone close behind and Yarro Boko on the outside. Libeccio Grif followed Yarra Boko and close behind was Rapid Lebel. Third on the inside was Rakas, and behind him was Brioni with Lisa America on the outside. Rapide Lebel attached with 700 meters left three-wide out, and by then, Brioni was still stuck on the inside. When Arch Madness was defeated, Eric Raffin was probably counting home the victory. However, wide out, Joakim Lövgren’s fighter Brioni hit back and managed to win by nose.


Congratulation Germany

So it happened that a horse, which by different circumstances just got a ticket to the final, sprinted home the biggest race as an outsider. Yarro Boko made a great race and finished second, whereas Rakas finished third. The pride in trainer Lövgren’s eyes was obvious, although he seemed most happy to get revenge for his mediocre performance in the elimination heat, which also was criticized by the owner in the winner’s circle. Brioni won at 1:53.2 and banked another $480,000. His German owner Herz Günter has already sponsored German Harness Racing for several years, and this victory was probably important for German Harness Racing’s be or not to be.