After winning the first heat, US invader Explosive Matter and driver Ron Pierce were upset in the final of the Premio Orsi Mangelli for three-year-old trotters
in San Siro, Italy.
In the first heat, Pierce and Explosive Matter were decisive winners in their elimination, clearing to the lead around the five-eighths mile marker and then opening up in the stretch for win by some four lengths over Swedish import Oracle and another US-bred, Mystro Hanover.
The second heat was captured by Italian trotter Mago d'Amore and Pietro Gubellini, who were well-rated winners in gate-to-wire fashion over Macho Gams and Marimari.
In the final heat, Explosive Matter made a miscue heading out of the first turn, taking him out of contention early. Gubellini brought Mago d'Amore first up to eventually wear down the pacesetter Oracle (Orjan Kihlstrom) to win by a length. Macho Gams finished third but was disqualified and placed back for crossing the wire off-stride, bumping Marimari up to third.