Åby Stora Pris

Åby Stora Pris (Åby Grand Prix) at Gothenburg Racetrack crowned the queen of age horses last Saturday (September 20) when Lisa America beat all the stallions in two magnificent heats. In the first heat, she proved her speed from a position in the field, whereas the second heat was won from outside of the leader. After weeks of heavy rain, there were at least glimpses of blue sky throughout the day and the 12,000 in the crowd could enjoy world-class trotting at its very best.


Two or Three Heats During the Day
Up until 2004, Åby Stora Pris was a standard Group 1 race over 2140 meters with ten contestants. In 2005, it transformed into a two-heat race with eight invited horses over 1640 meters. If the same horse wins both heats, that horse is declared the winner of the race. However, if there are two different winners after two heats, the two alone meet in a third race-off heat. There have been two race-off heats, in 2005 when Gidde Palema defeated Steinlager and in 2008 when Garland Kronos beat L'Amiral Mauzun. Last year, Torvald Palema and Åke Svanstedt won both heat A and B.

The posts are drawn as usual with one exception. The horse who gets post one in heat A gets post eight in heat B. The positions are reversed to make the drawn more equal. It adds extra tactic to the race, depending on positions and speed, some horses benefit from two heats whereas some aim for three heats. Åby is the only racing track in Sweden with double open lanes on the homestretch which makes an inside position better than on a standard racing track. Add to that the extra thrill of reversed posts and you have a very challenging race.


Heat A
Micro Mesh with Lutfi Kolgjini sprinted to the front with Opal Viking on the outside and reached the first 500 meters at 1.11,1/1640a (1:54.2). Lisa America was third on the outside trailing Torvald Palema. Lisa America attacked three wide with 600 meters left to go, which forced Åke Svanstedt to advance with Torvald Palema. When they were coming on the homestretch, Torvald Palema gained a few lengths immediately, but Lisa America had still more to give and could finally win by nose. She finished the last 500 meters below 1.07.5 (1:48.3) third wide. Beanie M.M. was stacked behind Micro Mesh on the inside and finished third via open stretch.

Trainer Riordan was very optimistic after the first heat and thought Lisa America would handle two or three heats on the same day well. “These horses are champions. If they show anything at all, they will show it in the next race and not today. Once they are behind the gate, they just do their job”, Mr Riordan said.


Heat B
The second heat got a different scenario when Torvald Palema sprinted to the front and then let go to Beanie M.M. Lisa America had to trot most of the race outside without cover in a murderous speed with the first 500 meters at 1.09.3 (1:51.3). Torvald Palema got a perfect position behind Beanie M.M., just waiting for open stretch. The three were fighting on the homestretch, but Lisa America showed her winner instinct and fought Torvald Palema right to the wire. She won the second race at 1.10,1/1640a (1:52.4), which is a new record mark for mares in Sweden over short distance.

Jerry Riordan was thrilled after the race and tried to describe his feelings in Swedish Television. “I look at Torbjörn and want to make love to the guy, I have never had feelings like that before, he brings something out of me I never felt before. Don’t worry, I am still happily married to my wife and won’t leave her for Torbjörn”, Riordan said laughing.

The daughter of Varenne (by mare Zagabria Dei by Victory Dream) showed the same qualities as her sire. Just like Varenne, she is strong and tough, with a real fighting spirit. Even her psych seems to mature, she appears less stressed and has familiarized with the Swedish racing system. “For every race, it just looks like she’s getting better. I was lucky to have a top driver in Italy for the first three years in the beginning of her career in Andrea Guzzinati. He never hurt her and just respected her”, Riordan continued.

Lisa America has won six of 14 races this year and added $21,200 to her seasonal earnings. By winning Åby Stora Pris she gained the leading position in Grand Circuit, which offers an extra bonus to the winner in the end of the season.