Trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt brought a trio of talented trotters to the Tuesday, May 12 morning qualifiers at Harrah’s Philadelphia and won with all three – by a combined margin of 25-1/2 lengths.
The first two winners may find a place on the Super Sunday card at Philly on Sunday, May 24. The fastest Svanstedt horse was Khaosan Road, an International Moni-Jewels In The Sand gelding who has the well-remembered Armbro Blush not too far back in his pedigree. The six-year-old trotter went :30.1, :59, 1:27 and won in 1:55. Florida-based Knutsson Trotting Inc. owns this winner of $562,049, and also owns the $454,597 winner Kierkegaard K, who triumphed in 1:55.3 with a :28.2 final quarter. Kierkegaard K is a full brother to Memento Mori, co-holder of the world record for freshman trotting geldings at 1:51.4.
The third Svanstedt winner was the three-year-old Ready Cash-To Soon filly Tindra Cash S, a half-sister to world champion and $1.6 million-winning Ecurie D DK. Tindra Cash S won in 1:56 in her first start since Oct. 27, coming her back half in :56.4 for Florida's Suleyman Yuksel Stables Inc.
Driver Corey Callahan and Team Cancelliere -- trainer Tom and owner John -- combined for a double during the morning session, including the speediest winner of the a.m. in Doctor Arroganto in 1:54, with a last quarter in :27.3. The four-year-old Papi Rob Hanover-Brazuca gelding finished 2025 well, came back sharply, and may be on the way to trying to emulate the speed of $2.1 million winner Dorsudoro Hanover, in his near pedigree.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia; photo of Khaosan Road from a previous win at Plainridge Park)