V75®: High pressure and great trotters – the track record could fall
The summer classic, Årjängs Stora Sprinterlopp, is just around the corner. The weather and the classy field suggest that Nadal Broline’s track record could fall this weekend.
"What a fantastic race we’ve lined up – and this week, the high pressure and warm weather we’ve been waiting for will arrive. Now we’re going to beat 1:09!" says Even Elvenes, who has been working on attracting top horses to Saturday’s race.
When Daniel Redén decided to enter Don Fanucci Zet – the Elitloppet winner and this year’s runner-up – into the online entering system, it became the final piece in the puzzle for Saturday’s race, which was already filled with top sprinters.
Another twist came when Redén’s horse drew post eight behind the gate – a terrible draw for the likely favorite, while the quick-starting duo Castor the Star and Gio Cash drew the two inside posts.
Årjängs Stora Sprinterlopp, with SEK 500,000 to the winner, could become a real thriller.
In 2018, Nadal Broline won the race in 1:09.3, and the year after, Uza Josselyn equaled the track record in the Värmland sprint race.A shared record – that many hope will be broken this year.
Even Elvenes, who stepped in for Johanna Karlin as head of Årjängstravet during her parental leave, has continued as a consultant in Årjäng, working with sports and event matters.
The Norwegian harness racing journalist is known for also working with Swedish TV over the years and lives in Mysen, about 50 kilometers from Saturday’s V75 track.
Racing in Värmland has always been close to his heart.
The Norwegian harness racing journalist is known for also working with Swedish TV over the years and lives in Mysen, about 50 kilometers from Saturday’s V75 track.
Racing in Värmland has always been close to his heart.
"That’s how it gets when you’ve worked in the sport for years on the Swedish side. You can almost see Årjäng from where I live – it’s really close," says Elvenes, who also works with the Värmland-Østfold Border Committee, one of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ cooperation programs.
"Like a catapult from the start"
Daniel Wäjersten won Norrbottens Stora Pris from the front in his latest start with his new acquisition Gio Cash. Örjan Kihlström with Don Fanucci Zet couldn't catch him.On Saturday, the two will meet again, and Wäjersten was lucky in the draw with post two.
Gio Cash to the lead again – and then it’s over?
Elvenes says that’s possible, but he sees Castor the Star, trained by Jörgen Westholm, as the likely early leader from the inside post.
Elvenes says that’s possible, but he sees Castor the Star, trained by Jörgen Westholm, as the likely early leader from the inside post.
"Most likely, Castor the Star will try to hold out Gio Cash from the start. Wäjersten’s horse is very quick, but I don’t think it’ll be that easy for him to pass Westholm’s. Castor the Star is like a catapult from the start! He’s the key to my pick Don Fanucci Zet," says Elvenes.
Goop important – and Borg
Årjängs Stora Sprinterlopp is limited to ten entries, allowing for a small field and fast times.This year’s edition is top-class, filled with Nordic elite horses.
"The field we’re presenting now is so strong that the race could go in many different directions. Gio Cash and Don Fanucci Zet might be favorites, but there are many contenders behind them. It wouldn’t take much for another horse to win. The fact that Björn Goop is coming with his new horse Ideal San Leandro is exciting for the Värmland crowd – a horse hardened by tough races and with a fantastic attitude. He’s the longshot idea of the race!”
Elvenes also likes local profile Beartime, who received a wildcard and could earn good money.The second longshot idea, after Ideal San Leandro, comes from Norway:
"Yes, the Norwegian guest First One Diamond, trained by Thor Borg, is my pick for dark horse of the race. He’s fast out of the gate. According to Stian Hallenstvedt, who helps train him, he recently trotted 1:09.0 over 1,200 meters in training!"
So, will the track record fall with a heatwave and 27°C expected midweek?
"Årjäng also races Friday evening, and for the weekend’s doubleheader, the conditions will be perfect – both for fans and for fast racing. Rain early in the week, then warmth by Wednesday. With all the water the track crew will apply, the surface will have great bounce, and the horses will thrive in the heat."
Could Nadal Broline’s and Uza Josselyn’s 1:09.3 be broken?
“If the pace is what I think it’ll be – a blistering start – then yes. Maybe they’ll go the first 300 meters in, say, 1:04.5? Örjan Kihlström moves up on the outside and keeps the pace high with Don Fanucci Zet. Then maybe, we’ll see a sub-1:09.0 performance for the first time in the track’s history,” says Even Elvenes.
Årjängs Stora Sprinterlopp is race 6 on Saturday’s V75 card, with a start time of 18:20.