Aiming to unseat Varenne as the fastest trotter in Finnish harness racing history, Rapide Lebel went to straight to the front of the field in the St. Michel-Ajo 2011 at Mikkeli, Finland on Sunday and missed the record
by the narrowest of margins.
With Eric Raffin in the bike for trainer Sebastian Guarato, the the son of Passionnant - Koranie des Noes left from Post 3 and swept to command ahead of Amour Ami (Mika Forss) around the first turn. The top two took off from the rest of the field, but were reeled in as they rounded the final turn by Renommée d’Obret (Pierre Vercruysse). Rapide Lebel remained strong through the stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length over the late closer in a 1:09.4 kilometre rate, translating to a mile of 1:51.4f. Amour Ami pulled the pocket around the final turn to show.
Varenne won the 2002 St. Michel-Ajo in 1:51.3f.
Even if they beat the
Even if they beat the record, Varenne is still the best trotter ever.Viva Il Capitano!
If you look at the winning
If you look at the winning photo: the track is soft (not hard like in America) the horse has no pole, the driver, no whip, the driver sitting straight.
Rapide Lebel is a gelding, not a so good pedigree.