by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

It was a great day for North American Standardbreds competing in Elitlopp as Nuncio, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, captured the final followed by Resolve driven by Ake Svanstedt.

Gerard Forni photo

Nuncio reigns supreme in Elitlopp after powering home off two consecutive miles with no cover and fending off the unlucky Resolve.

Nuncio, who trotted nearly the entire mile without any cover, hit the wire in 1:51.2.

French trotter Un Mec d’Heripre driven by Jos Verbeeck was able to take command from post position one, while Nuncio was parked outside with Timoko, driven by Born Goop, behind him. Resolve was behind Timoko. Royal Fighter, driven by Jenny Tillman, was forced three-wide round the first bend, and went past Nuncio, but opted to go down behind leading Un Mec d’Heripre

Svanstedt made his move with 600 meters to go, but going round the last bend he still was some lengths behind Un Mec d’Heripre and Nuncio.

“Going into the stretch I felt, that we were going to win,” said Kihlström. “Nuncio felt very strong.”

The 2014 Yonkers Trot and Kentucky Futurity victor, got the better of Un Mec d’Heripre, but Resolve finished strongly. His powerful strides, however, where not enough to defeat Nuncio, who at the finish line was a half-length in front.

Un Mec d’Heripre, the second Elitlopp elimination winner, finished third, while 2014 winner and first elimination victor Timoko was fourth. Propulsion followed him and came home fifth.

The purse for the winner was $360.000.

“I’m very satisfied with Resolve,” Svanstedt said. “He was very brave. Nuncio is a top trotter, but my horse is just as good. He will now return to the United States and if he is okay, he will race again Saturday (June 4) at the Meadowlands.”

Resolve and Åke Svanstedt finished second in the first Elitlopp elimination to 2014 champion Timoko, while Nuncio was second behind Un Mec d’Heripre.

In his elimination Resolve had to trot three wide round the last bend, and finished strong down the stretch. He tried to catch long-time race leader Timoko who was first over, but failed by a half-length.

“Resolve was terrific, but he had a tough trip,” said Svanstedt. “Perhaps I should have made my move earlier.”

Timoko stopped the clock in 1.51.1 followed by Resolve. Propulsion driven by Ôrjan Kihlström finished third, while Oasis Bi and Johnny Takter were fourth.

French trotter Un Mec d’Heripre driven by Jos Verbeck was a very impressive winner of the second Elitlopp elimination.

Un Mec d’Heripre had to trot outside without cover most of the trip, but still was able to show off Nuncio driven by Ôrjan Kihlström down the stretch to win in 1.51.3.

The Per K. Eriksson-trained Royal Fighter driven by Jenny Tillman finished third, and another French trotter, Billie de Montfort driven by David Thomain finished fourth.

“This horse is one of the top five I have ever driven,” Verbeck said after the race. “I have to talk to the trainer (when asked about his chances in the final). It may be a secret.”