A week out from competing in the Elitloppet at Solvalla Racecourse in Stockholm, Sweden, Canadian trotting star Logan Park is en route back home.
Trainer Rob Fellows told Trot Insider that Logan Park is doing well and after resting at Bernie Noren's farm near Tråvad, Sweden, he began his journey home on Friday. Logan Park travelled two days with overnight rest to Frankfurt, Germany to be followed by a direct flight to Toronto today and quarantine at a farm.
"There were opportunities to stay and race but our commitments to a fall schedule here would have been put in jeopardy so home he’s coming," said Fellows.
While Logan Park finished eighth in the first trial and did not advance to the final, which was won by French trotter Go On Boy, Fellows said it was an experience everyone should be lucky enough to have.
The Rockwood, Ont. horseman noted the media coverage and fanfare surrounding harness racing and Sweden's premier trotting race was one of the highlights of his Elitloppet experience.
"There were many highlights but the scope of this event to their country won’t be forgotten," said Fellows. "We were stabled four hours from Stockholm and in every restaurant, convenience store and gas station you went in there were posters advertising the race. National news stories on TV and print were daily leading up to the race. Compared to here, we are only a few weeks away from our first feature race, the North America Cup, and southern Campbellville won’t even realize the race is happening."
More than 16,400 people were in attendance on Elitloppet day to watch the world's top trotters at Solvalla. One of Sweden's biggest sporting events, the Elitloppet was the pinnacle of an elite racing weekend with visitors topping 33,000 from Friday through Sunday.
"On behalf of Logan Park, our owners and staff, everyone who sent well wishes, they were all appreciated," added Fellows. "Thank you again."
(Standardbred Canada; photo of Logan Park in Sweden before the Elitloppet)