The last time Sweden’s Kevin Oscarsson appeared in a race in the U.S., he was a 21-year-old driver sitting behind a horse in the $1 million USD International Trot at MGM Yonkers Raceway in 2016.
On Saturday, he will return to action in the States, this time behind Sound Judgement in her elimination for the Hambletonian Oaks at The Meadowlands. Oscarsson, the now 30-year-old son of trainer Jim Oscarsson, will drive the three-year-old trotting filly for his dad and owner Blomberg Stable.
In the 2016 International Trot, Oscarsson finished fifth from post 10 with Explosive De Vie, another horse trained by his father.
“It was about time to come over again,” Oscarsson said with a laugh. “It’s going to be a fun time. The Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks are races I’ve watched since I was really young. I’ve been (to The Meadowlands) for that day, but never as a driver. These are things you dream about, and you don’t know if they will ever come true.”
Sound Judgement will compete in the first of three $50,000 USD eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks, the filly companion race to the Hambletonian Stakes. The top three finishers from each elim plus the fourth-place finisher with the highest lifetime earnings will advance to the $500,000 USD Hambletonian Oaks final on Aug. 2 at The Meadowlands.
Oscarsson and Sound Judgement will leave from post six in a field of seven and are 10-1 on the morning line. Lady Landia, the 2024 Breeders Crown champion, is the 2-1 favourite for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt.
Svanstedt, incidentally, won the 2016 International Trot with Resolve.
“[The International Trot] was a good race to drive in,” Oscarsson said. “The years go by fast. A lot has happened since that race. Back in 2016, I was just working in the stable. I started slowly with it and then eventually took over.”
Oscarsson spent two years in the U.S., 2012 and 2013, while his dad operated a training stable here. His father’s top trotters at the time included 2012 Peter Haughton Memorial champion Aperfectyankee and, in 2013, Grand Circuit winning two-year-old Nuncio, who the following season earned $1.45 million for trainer Jimmy Takter after the Oscarssons moved back to Sweden.
Kevin’s father, though, always hoped to return to the States, which he did in 2023.
“I knew deep down that he always wanted to go back to the U.S., so it was a good time for both of us,” Oscarsson said about taking over the stable in Sweden. “We have 50 horses right now. It’s a lot of two- and three-year-olds. It looks pretty good for the future. We have good horses and good owners. I’m really happy with how things look here. It feels good.”
Not surprisingly, Oscarsson cited his father as a major influence on his life and career.
“I can say most of the way I’m working, and what I’m doing, is from him,” Oscarsson said. “He’s been successful as a trainer, but also as a person, his whole life. I’m always following in his footsteps and paying attention to what he is doing. We talk a lot on the phone, both overall about what is happening in life, or if we have a problem with a horse. He’s always there.”
When Sound Judgement’s owner called Oscarsson and offered him the Oaks drive with his filly, it was an easy decision to accept.
“It’s always special that week, Hambo Week, so it will be fun to be there,” said Oscarsson, who during his previous two-year stint in the States drove 41 races, winning eight. “Everyone is excited that week. It will be fun to drive, and it will be fun to see the people I got to know before and see how everyone is doing.”
Sound Judgement, a daughter of Muscle Hill-Pin Kronos IT, has hit the board in seven of 15 career races, winning three and earning $278,057. She won a Breeders Crown elimination last year and finished third in the final. She also won an International Stallion Stakes division.
The year, she has a second-place finish, in a leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes, in four starts. She was seventh-placed-sixth in the NJSS final and finished sixth in her most recent race, a division of the Del Miller Memorial, on July 12 at The Meadowlands.
“She’s a really good-looking filly,” Oscarsson said. “I was at the sale in Lexington when they bought her (for $50,000 USD). My dad always had a good sound in his voice when he was talking about her when she was training down as a two-year-old. She started good, then she got sick a little bit, but she finished last season good.
“In the New Jersey Sire Stakes final, she was a little bit down. She didn’t have her best day. Her last start, she didn’t get the best trip, but she trotted the last quarter good. I think she is going to be in good shape for Saturday.
“Just to be in the race and to drive for my dad, it’s going to be a dream come true.”
The morning-line favourites in the remaining two Hambletonian Oaks eliminations are Miller Memorial division winner What A Bid Hanover and New Jersey Sire Stakes champ Conversano.
In addition to the three Oaks elims, The Meadowlands will host three eliminations for the 100th edition of the Hambletonian. Emoticon Legacy, Super Chapter and Go Dog Go are the morning-line favourites.
Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EDT). For free TrackMaster past performances for The Big M, visit the track’s website.
(USTA)