After having stalked from second throughout the contest, the Jerry Riordan-trained and Wim Paul-driven Ringostarr Treb captured the Elitlopp final on Sunday (May 27) at Solvalla Racecourse in Stockholm, Sweden.
The performance was of the stakes-record-equalling variety, as the eight-year-old son of Classic Photo started from Post 1 and went on to win in 1:51f, the same clocking that Timoko trotted to during his 2017 victory.
After having bided his time in the backfield, Propulsion came calling late, as driver Örjan Kihlström had the charge in full gear coming home. Propulsion ran out of real estate in the lane and finished a length back in second. Nadal Broline (driven by Ulf Ohlsson) also fired from the backfield and finished third.
Ringostarr Treb floated up overland during the back half of the mile. Paul rated the Italian-bred charge on the outside, but asked for more on the final turn. Ringostarr Treb was in control from that point onward. The career winner of more than $1.4 million in purses strided confidently through the lane and was a convincing winner at the wire.
The field for the Elitlopp final was determined earlier in the day, as 16 of the world’s top trotters contested the opening heats.
The much-revered Bold Eagle did not advance to the final after an event-filled opening heat.
Postponements and a trio of recalls for the first heat affected France’s Bold Eagle once the dash got underway. The race ultimately went off 20 minutes later than expected. A fractious Bold Eagle, who appeared to be washing out, charged off the gate, but went off stride soon afterward.
The first heat was won by Lionel (who was driven by Göran Antonsen) , who stopped the clock in 1:52.1. The three others that advanced from the first heat were Dreammoko (Björn Goop), Up And Quick (Jorma Kontio) and Takethem (Steen Juul).
Ringostarr Treb (Wim Paal) recorded a neck win over Propulsion (Örjan Kihlström) in the second heat, which was trotted in 1.54. Nadal Broline (Ulf Ohlsson) and Pastore Bob (Johan Untersteiner) also advanced to the final from the second heat.
The field for the Elitlopp final appears below.
1 – Ringostarr Treb — Wim Paal
2 – Lionel — Göran Antonsen
3 – Propulsion — Örjan Kihlström
4 – Dreammoko — Björn Goop
5 – Nadal Broline — Ulf Ohlsson
6 – Up And Quick — Jorma Kontio
7 – Pastore Bob — Johan Untersteiner
8 – Takethem — Steen Juul