by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The Swedish Trotting Derby, raced on Sunday (Sept. 2) at Jägersro, which is considered the finest classic trotting race for a Swedish bred trotter, was won by Pato, driven by Peter Ingves and trained by Petri Puri.

Kanal 75 photo

Pato held off Panne de Moteur to win the Swedish Trotting Derby.

Pato had raced just eight times before the Derby, but was the favorite, as he had seven wins. And win number eight came handily after Peter Ingves guided Pato to the front after 600 meters in the 1-5/8th mile event.

Pato held off a late charge from Panne de Moteur (by Credit Winner) with Jorgen Sjunnesson, who enjoyed a pocket trip and found racing room with 100 yards to go.

Pato was timed in 1:57.1f (mile rate), equaling the race record by Maharajah.

Pato, who last year won the Svenskt Trav Kriterium, earned $300,000 for the win and now has lifetime earnings of $600,000. He is sired by the French sire Orlando Vici, whose grandsire on the maternal side is Workaholic (by Speedy Crown). The dam of Pato, She’s My Pie, is sired by the Hambletonian winner Alf Palema, he by Speedy Somolli. Pato is her only foal.

This was the second time trainer Petri Puri had a horse race in the Derby. Five years ago he entered Commander Crowe, who won, so Puri has a strike rate of 100 percent in this prestigious race.

Another offspring to a French sire won the mares division of the Derby, raced over 1-5/16th mile. Red Red Red with trainer/driver Fredrik Persson took down long leading Drillbit As (Chocolatier) with Johnny Takter in the bike to win by a half-length in 1:56.1f (mile rate). The purse for the winner was $150,000.

Red Red Red is sired by the two-time winner of the Prix d’Amerique, Offshore Dream, who is also the sire of Repay Merci, who recently won the Danish Trotting Derby.

Offshore Dream is sired by the late Reve d’Udon, who is also the sire of Revenue S, the sire of this year’s winner of the Hambletonian, Market Share.