by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

The 5-year-old Italian mare Prussia, driven by Pietro Gubellini, was a very impressive winner of the prestigious Gran Premio delle Nazioni at the Agnano Track in Naples, Italy, on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 9).

Prussia was parked out without cover most of the trip, but going into the stretch she left the field and won easily in 1:54f, followed by Pace del Rio and long leading Napoleon Bar.

The purse for the winner was $160,000.

Prussia is sired by Ken Warkentin, who is now at stud in Sweden. Her dam Elvsezia is sired by Pine Chip. Pine Chip, as well as Ken Warkentin, is at Broline Stud.

Prussia was a bargain at the yearling sale as she sold for just $10,000. She now has lifetime earnings of $665,000.

The Gran Premio delle Nazioni has been one of the most prestigious trotting races in Europe for many years. It was raced at the San Siro track in Milan, but after that track closed down last year the Agnano Track, home of the famous Gran Premio delle Lotteria, took over.

In 1997 and 1998 the great Moni Maker won the Nazioni.