Solvalla race track officials have announced that the Elitloppet will be held this year as scheduled on Sunday, May 31, but without an audience.

At the same time, the Sweden Cup is cancelled, and the winner of the Meadow Road race will qualify for the Elitloppet.

"The Elitloppet is an annual sporting highlight for many Swedes and we currently feel confident that we can conduct the competitions safely and responsibly," says Solvalla CEO Jörgen Forsberg.

All Swedish trotting tracks have closed down their public facilities since March 12, and even the Elitloppet will be run without any spectators, but there are still some question marks to be addressed.

"Our decision is made with reservations, that the situation in our society does not worsen and that the conditions therefore change. At present, most things point to the fact that we can arrange the Elitloppet weekend without a public. Of course, I hope that our fantastic audience can be there, but if the prevailing conditions prevents it, the Elitloppet weekend will still be implemented," Forsberg continued.

Dijon (No. 5, on the inside), pictured holding off his rivals while winning the final of the 2019 Elitloppet.

The purse in the Elitloppet will not be changed. The winner in the final will earns three-million Swedish krona (approximately $418,980 Canadian).

"The biggest change during the Elitloppet weekend is that the Sweden Cup is discontinued. We cannot count on the addition of foreign elite horses, and therefore the horse base will not be enough to run both Sweden Cup and the Elitloppet this year," said Anders Malmrot, sport director (race secretary) at Solvalla.

New for this year, the winner of the Meadow Road Race on May 13 will be invited to the Elitloppet.

As has been the case in prior years, the Paralympic Race (before the Olympiatravet) at the Åby track on April 25, and the Prince Daniel's Race at Gävle on May 23 are also included in the direct qualifying races.

(SulkySport.se)