by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Early Thursday morning, local time, Lucky Jim and his groom, Swedish born Jenny Melander, arrived in Stockholm, Sweden well and safe after a long journey.

Lucky Jim started his journey to Sweden on Monday evening on a flight to Amsterdam. The flight arrived Tuesday at noon, and after a short rest Lucky Jim and his travel companion, the 3-year-old Thierry, continued on the road to Sweden. They arrived at Jägersro racetrack in Malmoe on Wednesday, where they were stabled. Early this morning the journey continued to Stockholm, which is 375 miles from Malmoe.

Around 10 a.m. Lucky Jim arrived at trainer Glen Norman’s farm outside Stockholm, and he will be stabled there during his stay in Sweden.

Oyonnax wins in France

Gerard Forni photo

Oyonnax won the Prix des Ducs de Normandie on Wednesday.

For the first time since his surprising win in the Prix d’Amerique the French trotter Oyonnax was first past the post on Wednesday afternoon, May 19, at the Caen track in Normandy in the Prix des Ducs de Normandie over the 1-1/2 mile distance.

Oyonnax, driven by Sebastian Ernault, won easily by a length followed by Prix d’Amerique runner-up Quaker Jet, driven by Jean Etienne Dubois, while the Italian mare Ilaria Jet, driven by Jean Michel Bazire, finished third.

Oyonnax was timed in 1:55.2 (mile rate) and picked up a check for $90,000 for the win.

The victory might earn Oyonnax a spot in the Elitlopp.