by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Solvalla, Sweden — During the last two months Iceland has been in the headlines, not related to racing, but because of the volcanic ash which troubled many travelers and caused a lot of troubles.

On a happier note, Iceland hit the headlines again on Sunday afternoon, May 30, as the 6-year-old Swedish trotter won the Elitlopp final at Solvalla.

Kanal 75 photo

Johnny Takter celebrates his Elitlopp victory with Iceland.

Iceland, who finished third in his elimination, had Johnny Takter — older brother of Jimmy Takter — in the bike, since his driver in the elimination, Ôrjan Kihlström opted for Triton Sund in the final.

Johnny Takter used Iceland from the start to gain the lead and although last year’s winner Torvald Palema, with Åke Svanstedt, finished fast down the stretch, Iceland won by two lengths in 1:53.2, followed by Torvald Palema, while Brioni with Joakim Lovgren finished third.

Iceland is owned and trained by Stefan Melander, who now joins Jimmy Takter as trainers who have conditioned the winners of the Elitlopp, Prix d’Amerique and Hambletonian.

Iceland is sired by Melander’s Hambletonian champion Scarlet Knight and is by far his best offspring. Iceland has raced 35 times and has won 25 races. With Sunday’s purse of $385,000, Iceland has now earned $970,000.

This was the first win in the Elitlopp for Johnny Takter, who for several years has been one of the leading catch drivers in Sweden.

The Italian trotter Ilaria Jet, with Jean Michel Bazire, who won his elimination, was never a factor in the final and finished a well beaten sixth.

Final Replay

North American horses fail to qualify for Elitlopp final

After a tough trip Lucky Jim and Andy Miller finished last in the first elimination of the Elitlopp on Sunday.

From post position seven Lucky Jim was parked out three wide for most of the race and around the last corner he tired.

“We were parked out from the start and were parked out three wide for a long time, so it became a very tough trip,” Andy Miller said afterwards. “I’m of course disappointed, but we have enjoyed the trip to Sweden very much.”

The first elimination was won by the Italian outsider Ilaria Jet, driven by Jean Michel Bazire, who finished strongly to win by a length in 1:54.2f, followed by Nu Pagadi, driven by Erik Adielsson. Triton Sund, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, was third, while Quarcio du Chene, driven by Björn Goop, took the last ticket to the final.

The home team dominated the second elimination in the Elitlopp, as last year’s winner Torvald Palema, driven by Åke Svanstedt, just managed to catch Brioni, driven by Joakim Lövgren, at the finish line to win in 1:53.2f. Third was Iceland driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, while Beanie M.M., driven by Torbjörn Jansson, took the last ticket for the final.

Before the result was made official the judges looked into an incident 100 yards before the finish line, as it looked as if Torvald Palema, who was boxed in behind leader Brioni, drifted to the outside, where Iceland was trotting. However, Torvald Palema was declared the winner, but Ake Svanstedt is going to be stood down and will also get a fine.

For the North American trotters this elimination was bad again.

Define The World, with Paul MacDonnell, opened strong from post position five, but after the first quarter Beanie M.M. took over and down the stretch Define The World was boxed in behind the tiring Beanie M.M. and finished fifth.

Lisa America, with Jorma Kontio, had to trot outside without cover and tired around the last bend, while Enough Talk, with Swedish driver Johnny Takter, was never in the picture and finished last.

The French entry Oyonnax, with Sebastian Ernault, was out already going around the first bend as he went off stride.

1st Elim Replay | 2nd Elim Replay