Two of the hottest trotters in North America have received invitations to one of harness racing's most prestigious international events
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Reports from Sweden indicate that World Record holder Arch Madness and Canadian trotting heavyweight Define The World have both been invited for overseas tours that will start in Norway for the Oslo Grand Prix with Sweden's Elitlopp to follow.
In past seasons, Trond Smedhammer trainee Arch Madness has been slow to round into form but this year the son of Balanced Image is unbeaten in his first three starts with Open class wins at Pocono and Chester - all five-eighths mile tracks, the same configuration for his European stakes. Owned by Marc Goldberg and Willow Pond LLC, O'Brien Award winning Arch Madness boasts more than $2.5 million in lifetime earnings and a 1:51 speed badge taken in 2010 at Pocono, the fastest ever over a three-turn mile.
After a locked-in fifth place finish in his 2010 Elitlopp elimination, the John Bax-trained Define The World will look to atone in the 2011 edition with driver Paul MacDonell once again making the trip.
Al Libfeld's homebred son of Duke Of York is a winner of his last four starts at Woodbine Racetrack's Preferred level. Define The World sits just under the $1.5 million mark in career earnings with a 1:52 record taken at age six.
"Last year I had to convince Al, this year he's convincing me," joked Bax of the trip to Europe. "This will be the fourth time over there for me and I'm excited and extremely fortunate to have this opportunity. Chances like this and horses like [Define The World] don't come along everyday."
Both Arch Madness and Define The World will rest until flying to Europe next week. There they will face the likes of French winning machine Rapide Lebel, a winner of nine straight races; German-owned Brioni, the recent winner of the Olympic Trot and Sweden's Prince Tagg, who is that country's fastest trotter this year.
Eleven more horses will be invited to the Elitlopp, set for Sunday, May 29.