by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

On Saturday (June 16), 11,090 fans witnessed Propulsion, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, winning the Norrbottens Grand Prix with a purse for the winner of $1 million Swedish kroner (or $114,000) for the third time in a row.

Propulsion won the 1-5/16-mile event in 1.54.4 (mile rate) and was followed by a half-length by Make the Mark driven by Björn Goop.

This was the first race for Propulsion after he finished second in the Elitlopp three weeks ago.

Once a year the track in Boden in northern Sweden arranges a trotting event around 12 midnight, which has turned out the be a huge success.

In Finland the Kymi Grand Prix with a purse for the winner of 100,000 Euros, or $116,000, was won very easily by French top trotter Aubrion du Gers driven by Jos Verbeeck.

Unfortunately, Ringostarr Treb, who won the Elitlopp three weeks ago, had to be scratched from the race because of a minor injury.

Aubrion du Gers, who is owned and trained by Jean Michel Bazire, won the 1-5/16-mile event in 1.57.4 (mile rate).