by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

The 8-year-old Swedish gelding, On Track Piraten, driven by Johnny Takter. won the Algot Scott Memorial at Aby Saturday (May 14) afternoon in 1.53 and is now ready to race in the Elitlopp in a fortnight.

Kanal 75 photo

On Track Piraten will compete in the Elitlopp after capturing the Algot Scott Memorial on May 14.

Though On Track Piraten had to start from the second tier in the mile race, he swept field with less than half a mile to go and won by 1-1/2 lengths followed by Nahar driven by Robert Bergh and Papagayo E driven by Ulf Ohlsson. As the winner he was handed an invitation to race in the Elitlopp.

The day before (May 13) the Norwegian-owned trotter BBS Sugarlight was invited to the race and so far 10 trotters comprise the field.

They are: Timoko- France; Your Highness – Sweden; Un Mecd’Heripre – France; Oasis Bi – Sweden; Resolve – USA; Voltigeur de Myrt – France; Nuncio – Sweden; BBS Sugarlight – Norway; On Track Piraten – Sweden.

A total of 16 trotters are required for the two elimination heats.

Saturday (May 14) afternoon at Aby one of the finest stake races for 4-year-old trotters, The Royal Trophy, was on the card too.

Uncle Lasse – now stablemate to Nuncio – and with top driver Ôrjan Kihlström in the bike, was favored to win the Kings Trophy. Uncle Lasse had raced and won twice for his new owner and trainer Stefan “Tarzan” Melander. However, as the gate started to drive Uncle Lasse tumbled and hit his head at the wings and went on a break and was out of the race. Now second favorite Poet Broline driven by Peter Untersteiner was in command the whole trip and won the 1-5/16 mile event in 1.53 (mile rate).

The purse for the winner was $125,000.

Untersteiner was pretty close to winning the Queens Trophy driving 45-1 shot Otrobanda, but just didn’t catch long leading Princess Face driven by Bjorn Goop, who won in 1.57.3 (mile rate). The purse was also $125,000.

Princess Face is sired by Muscle Hill, while Poet Broline is sired by Quite Easy.