Elitloppet 2019

This Sunday it’s finally time again for one of the most prestigious races in the world, the Elitloppet, a sprint race over 1609 meters. With two eliminations and one final, to conclude who is the most complete and best trotter of them all.

Readly Express – Björn Goop
The huge favourite. No wonder given his previous performances and he’s lucky enough to be associated with Björn Goop, one of the drivers that seems to have mastered the Elitloppet, with his most recent success in 2017 where he won with the 30/1 outsider Timoko.

Readly Express has had some preparation races over 1609m: flawless.

He’s shown us he can handle every situation and is fast enough from start to finish. Even though he drew number 7 behind the gate I don’t see any reason why he won’t be able to reach the final. Driver Goop will give him a suiting race given whatever circumstance. First 3 in both elimination and final. If he wins he’s the 13th horse that wins both the Prix de Amérique and Elitloppet.
Record 1609m: 1’08’9 (Winner at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France 2019)
Possibility to reach final: 10

Propulsion – Orjan Khilström
The horse that traveled to Sweden in 2015 after a career start in the United States. He has been nothing but fantastic since. His trainer Redén has done an incredible job keeping him in a shape everyone is a little bit startled by. Propulsion is a horse that not only posesses a lot of speed but also a lot of stamina and will to win. He never gives up whatever trip is given him and looking to his results (only finishing out of first three six times in his career in Sweden, only two(!!) times out of first five) that is his biggest strength in racing. Should be able to compete in both elimination and final for first 3, one of my huge favourites for the win when given a do-able parcour.
Record 1609m: 1’08’1 (Winner at Jägerso, Sweden 2017) 

Possibilty to reach final: 10

Aubrion Du Gers – Jos Verbeeck
Without a doubt the best gelding in the world right now. With 15 (!!) consecutive wins Aubrion Du Gers is in the shape of his lifetime and makes this edition of the Elitloppet even more beautiful. Verbeeck is the regular driver outside of France and has only lost one race with him, his first race in Scandinavia. Where he finished thirth in the Oslo Grand Prix.

Aubrion Du Gers always races his heart out and has a head for the game: he fights and fights no matter what the circumstances are. Despite his big character I’ve my doubts about the start: number one is a difficult place to be when you’re not the fastest starter of the field. If Verbeeck manages to get and stay in the lead towards the first turn there won’t be any problems, if that doesn’t happen he’ll have to be lucky.

Record 1609m: 1’13’5 (Winner at Argentan, France 2019)
Record 2450m: 1’10’5 (Second at Caen, France 2017)
Possibility to reach final:8

Looking Superb – Åke Svanstedt
A super interesting horse, i’ve not seen him over the sprint distance but since he moved to Bazire he’s been capable of almost everything. BUT Bazire didn’t really like the idea of Looking Superb starting in the Elitloppet and in this case it’s all the owner, who even contacted Åke to ask if he would drive his horse. This kinda concerns me, because we don’t know if the horse gets the correct preparation. Has enough strength and speed to compete for first four but can he handle the very new, strange circumstances the Elitloppet will bring?
Record 1609m: 1’11’0 (Seventh at Jarlsberg, Norway 2018)
Record 2150m: 1’10’6 (Winner at Enghien, France 2019)
Possibility to reach final:7 

Double Exposure – Erik Adielsson
This mare has grown into an incredible racehorse but has not yet met with the greatest around. Fast and reliable, a good driver: I see no alarming flags why Double Exposure won’t be able to reach the final. It might happen she won’t be able to take the lead and race from the death seat, or will it be another Delicious U.S. scenario, who got the lead in her Elitloppet elimination in 2017 but could not handle the pressing heat from Bold Eagle?
If I’m correct, Daniel Redén will have (atleast) two horses in the final.

Record 1609m: 1’10’7 (Thirth at Äby, Sweden 2018)
Record 1640m: 1’09’6 (Winner at Solvalla, Sweden 2018)
Possibility to reach final:8

Heavy Sound – Kenneth Haugstad

Another Redén protégé with incredible speed. Doesn’t turn his hand for a battle in the last stretch but is quite unlucky with the starting number. Interesting to see what he’ll be capable of.

Record 1609m: 1’09’2 (Winner at Gävle, Sweden 2018)
Possibility to reach final:6

Disco Volante – Jorma Kontio

Disco Volante traveled to Italy for the Lotteria at the beginning in May and has shown us he’s a good sprinter. He won the elimination to finish a strong second in the final. Enough the assume he’ll be sharp for the Elitloppet and can handle two races in one day. Should be able to start fast with Kontio in the bike and dictate from the lead.
Record 1609m: 1’11’3 (Fourth at Örebro, Sweden 2018)
Record 1640: 1’09’9 (Winner at Gâvle, Sweden 2018)
Possibility to reach final:8

Milligan’s School – Ulf Eriksson

Stefan Melander his horse was the last invite for the Elitloppet but surely deserves a spot in this field. Has competed (and did almost beat) against Readly Express and Propulsion.

Record 1609m: 1’09’9 (Second at Meadowlands, United States, 2016)
Possibility to reach final:7

Sorbet – Carl Johan Jepson

The ‘black pony’. Last year he finished second in the Sweden Cup with Björn Goop, now he’s associated with Jepson, who drives a lot for Goop as a trainer. Incredibly strong horse that has progressed a lot and should be able to show his face in the elimination. Despite his strength and the driver he got very unlucky with starting number 8. I see no real possibility for him to compete against these horses, altough he’s a great finisher there’s a lot of work ahead of him.

Record 1609m: 1’10’2 (Winner at Gävle, Sweden 2019)
Possibility to reach final:5

Bahia Quesnot – Junior Guelpa

Who remembers the Prix de Belgique in 2018 probably remembers the rise of Bahia Quesnot. Suddenly the mare showed us what she’s capable of and since then she’s been non-stop amazing. With quite a lot of finish speed she surely does belong in this field, has to hope on a back to travel on so she can use her speed in the last stretch. When that is possible I see her finishing first four.
Record 1609m: 1’09’0 (Thirth at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France 2019)
Possibility to reach final:7

Makethemark – Ulf Ohlsson

Not a real 1609m specialist but a steady horse with a head for the game. Incredible power and has duelled with Propulsion in the past. Have my doubts here for Makethemark, if he isn’t able to start fast this race might be over for him very soon.
Record 1609m: 1’10’5 (Sixth at Halmstad, Sweden 2017)
Possibility to reach final:5

Day Or Night In – Johan Untersteiner

The only Untersteiner-trained horse this year but an absolute worthy starter. Horse with speed, strength and stamina that could surprise us all. Lucky with the drawing and should be able to use his phenomenal gate speed. When in the lead a ticket for the final is sure.
Record 1609m: -

Record 1640m:1’09’6 (Winner at Halmstad, Sweden 2018)
Possibility to reach final: 8

Uza Josselyn – Gabriele Gelormini
The flying mare, the mare that can do all with her speed. Nothing is impossible for Uza Josselyn but the number six behind the gate sure makes it a lot harder. Needs a good trip (probably from within the field in this case). Is able to finish fast but so are others. Let’s see if Gelormini can pull an Italian trick.

Record 1609m: 1’09’0 (Winner at Enghien, France 2019)
Possibility to reach final:6

Milliondollarrhyme - Fredrik B Larsson
The newcomer on the highest level there is, but he seems to manage quite well. Almost held of Nadal Broline in his last race, traveling 1’09’2 over 1640m so there’s no doubt he’ll be able tot do what’s asked. But is he ready to hold of the titans of trot?

Record 1609m: -

Record 1640m: 1’09’2 (Second at Solvalla, Sweden 2019)
Possibility to reach final:7

Dijon – Romian Derieux
One of French fastest sprinters, was a bit unreliable but has grown a lot. Has lost the drawing and I don’t see any scenario that might help Dijon into the final. He can’t fully use his enormous gate speed and should hope he can travel on a back and lift to a placing. Opponents are thougher than he meets in France. 

Record 1609m: 1’09’0 (Second at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France 2019)
Possibility to reach final:5

Next Direction – Iikka Nurmonen
The Finnish participant of this year who finished second behind Readly Express in the Finlandia Ajo. In my opinion he was quite great, he started strong and strongly defended his second place in the last stretch. If he manages to take the lead in the elemination he could be pretty sure of a spot in the final. Has to pass three fast horses though so the task is very hard.

Record 1609m: 1’10’7 (Second at Kouvola, Finland 2019)
Possibility to reach final:5

Everything said, there’s a lot of room for surprises in this year’s edition and nothing is certain. The drawing may have brought us one of the most spectacular Elitloppet in years: In my opinion everyone could win, with a little bit of luck.

May the best and most complete horse win.