Officials with the Standardbred Retirement Foundation have announced the winner of the trip to the Elitlopp.
This year's winner, Joe Sbrocco, an Ohio resident, couldn't contain his excitement and shock.
Sbrocco has been an owner for nearly 40 years and has enjoyed tremendous success, most recently with Captaintreacherous, and Artspeak. "You gotta be kidding," were his first words when SRF Director Judy Bokman called him with the news. The excitement continued for him. "I'm 75 years old and I feel like I was just born!"
The seasoned owner is still in the game with a small stake in horses being trained by Brian Brown, Tony Alagna, Paul Kelly, Nancy Johansson, Jonas Czernyson, Ake Svanstedt, Jimmy Takter and Jimmy Arledge.
Sbrocco and his wife will enjoy a fabulous five-day trip to Sweden. They will visit famous breeding farms; they will take a trip to Mendhammer; and they will visit a yearling auction. They will also participate in sightseeing. They will also enjoy authentic dining at an old world restaurant that dates back to the 1700s. Oh, and they will also attend the great race at Solvalla.
The SRF is a 27-year-old organization, unique in its work, as it never relinquishes ownership of its horses. The Elitlopp raffle, as well as the raffle for a trip to the Prix d'Amerique, help fund the care of 205 trotters and pacers of which 130 are retired due to age or injuries under the full care and expense of SRF.
The SRF would like to thank Marc and Marcia Goldberg, of the Arch Madness fame, for their generous gift of sponsorship of the trip from the SRF's Twelve Days of Giving campaign in December 2015.
"We can only give these horses a chance when special people like the Goldbergs, and our supporters of this fund raiser make it possible with their kindness; we so appreciate this wonderful support," added Paula Campbell, SRF's president.
(SRF)