The Derby

Yesterday (September 5), the Swedish Trotting Derby for 4-year-old horses took place. This year, there was a female contestant among the twelve behind the gate. Tamla Celeber has been a dominant in the filly divisions and trainer Roger Walmann wanted to race her against the colts and geldings. Other top fillies like Ina Scot and Hilda Zonett have previously managed the task and when Tamla Celeber won her qualification heat ten days ago, Walmann had no need to regret his decision. Otherwise, the qualification heats were all about trainer Timo Nurmos whose horses managed to win four of six heats! The final was also a show á la Nurmos, but the winner was partly overshadowed by an accident on the homestretch.

Three Times Nurmos

Timo Nurmos’ Aga Kahn Boko took over the lead from Nurmos’ Amuro Boko with Ulf Ohlsson in the bike, after 600 meters. Erik Adielsson was in the lead and could slow down the pace a little. However, Torbjörn Jansson was awake and sent Nurmos’ third horse Beau Mec up outside of Aga Kahn Boko. With a mile left of the race, there were three Nurmos-trained horses among the first three while the forth Jackpot Brodde with Björn Goop was further down in the second lane. The only filly Tamla Celeber got a position on the inside, trailing Amuro Boko. Coming on the homestretch, Örjan Kihlström moved Tamla Celeber into an opening in the second lane, and by then she had a good speed to give. However, Ulf Ohlsson moved Amuro Boko to the same spot, and forced Tamla Celeber into a break – he was very close to cause a severe accident. Ohlsson was fined, but Amuro Boko’s owner could bank the $30,000, which most certainly Tamla Celeber would have gained if she had not been run over. Beau Mec did a fantastic race outside the leader and defended his position all they way to the finishing line. Far out, Johnny Takter and Johan Lejon trained Deuxieme Picsous sprinted well to the second place while Aga Kahn Boko was beaten by half a length.

Nurmos’ Weekend

Nurmos’ first driver Jorma Kontio was suspended from driving the finals, due to a new legislation, which makes no exceptions for drivers to compete in any race if they have been suspended for improper driving. However, Jorma Kontio was able to win the Finnish Trotting Derby the day before with Timo Nurmos-trained Seabiscuit while another Nurmos-trained horse finished second. Altogether, Timo Nurmos won both the Swedish and Finnish Trotting Derbys and finished second in the Finnish as well third and fourth in the Swedish. His horses banked more than $600,000 in two days. The winner is sired by sire Jag de Bellouet and dam Extreme Lady. Beau Mec won at 1.13,6/2640 meters (1:58.2/1 5/8 miles) and it was his 5th victory in 17 lifetime starts. The purse of $250,000 to the winner was more than four times his previous earnings.

The Filly Division

When Roger Walmann chose to compete Tamla Celeber against the colts and geldings, Åke Svanstedt could quite easily win the Filly Division of the Derby with Nettan Palema. Lutfi Kolgjini took over the lead with Knowledge Face in an early stage while Svanstedt and Nettan Palema for a long time were the second pair on the outside. Svanstedt sent Nettan Palema three wide out 600 meters left to go and came up outside of Svanstedt’s second horse Popcorn Lavec who trotted first on the outside during the whole race. Nettan Palema could quite easily unarm Knowledge Face and Popcorn Lavec but threats came from behind. The finishing line saved Nettan Palema from Cruise Speed with Björn Goop in the bike. Domino Sund and Popcorn Lavec finished third and fourth, but the purse of $110,000 belonged to Nettan Palema and Åke Svanstedt.

Sundsvall Open Trot 2011 – A New Delightful Victory For Kolgjini/Adielsson

Joke Face shows class, strength and winning spirit and with Erik Adielsson in the bike, he does everything right. Sundsvall Open Trot (August 27) was wide open on beforehand and with several of the Elitlopp contestants behind the gate, it was set to be a real battle.

Three Wide Out – Again and Again

Although Joke Face was one of the favorites, he got nothing for free and it was not until after they had reached 500 meters he got a position in the second lane. Right after, Beanie M.M. came up outside of Iceland in the lead. By then, Iceland had opened the first 500 meters at 1.10,3/2140 meters (1:53.1/1 3/8 miles). With 900 meters left to go, Ulf Ohlsson attacked with Yarro Boko and forced Joke Face three wide out again. Beanie M.M. looked like a winner when they reached the homestretch, but Iceland fought his way back in the game while Joke Face was still three wide out. However, both horse and driver knew when and where they sign the cheque. With the smallest effort, Adielsson managed to get the most out of his colt and when they reached the finishing line, Joke Face was once again a winner. He won the $155,000 at 1:55.2. Iceland finished second and Noras Bean sprinted in as no. 3.

French Blood, French Style

Joke Face is a pure Kolgjini product. Trained by Lutfi and his de facto Anna Svensson and breed by the same couple. The constellation Joke Face/Erik Adielsson won the Derby last year and since then, Joke Face had belonged in the absolute elite. He has met the best a few times already, but the victory in Sundsvall Open Trot was his biggest so far this year. Sire Viking Kronos was Kolgjini’s super star and the dam Kalmie Melody (e. Full Account) is a French product, whose blood also seems to be inherited to Joke Face who has a characteristic and typical French look.