by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The judges had to call for a photo before Chelsea Boko with Jorma Kontio could be declared the winner of the E3 final, raced over 1-5/16th miles at Farjestad on Saturday afternoon (June 30).

Kanal 75 photo

Chelsea Boko (right) won the E3 final in a close finish.

Chelsea Boko just managed to hold off Global Offshore driven by Ake Svanstedt to win in 1:57f (mile rate).

Chelsea Boko, who is sired by Chocolatier, had a really tough race as he had to fight for the lead, then defend his position after the first half of the race and then held off the late charge of Global Offshore.

This was just the fifth race in his career and his fourth win. The purse for the winner was $115,000.

Chelsea Boko is out of Kelsea Boko, who took a mark of 1:55.4 and had earnings of $280,000.

The filly division was won by System Performance, driven by Stefan Melander, in 1:59.1f (mile rate) after a race where she was parked outside the leader for most of the trip.

Stefan “Tarzan” Melander not only drives System Performance but he’s the breeder, owner and trainer as well.

System Performance is out of Scarlet Knight and the Express Ride mare Hermit Lady. She also won a purse of $115,000.

In Italy it was driver Enrico Bellei and trainer Holger Ehlert who rule.

Enrico Bellei has won 136 races so far this year — that’s 64 races more than Italy’s number two!

Holger Ehlert is also very dominant, and horses from his stable have already won $1.6 million — or more than $725,000 over number two on the list.

Holger Ehlert has the favorite for the Italian Derby in his stable, Pascia’ Lest, who on Saturday evening won the prestigious Gran Premio Nazionale at San Siro, Milan, and in the bike was Enrico Bellei.

Pascia’ Lest, who is sired by Varenne, took victory number eight from just nine races. He won in 1:57.2f (mile rate) by open lengths. The purse for the winner was $110,000.

Enrico Bellei also won the filly division with Petra Inn Ronco in 1:56.2f. The purse for the winner was $35,000. She is trained by G. Cassilo. Petra Inn Ronco is sired by Cantab Hall.