by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Olona OK, driven by Vincenzo P. Dell’Annunziata, was an easy winner of the Italian Trotting Derby on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 9) at the Tordivalle track in Rome.

The 84th edition of the Derby Italiano Trotto, which has a total purse of $1,035,000, is the richest race for 3-year-old trotters in Europe and only Italian-bred trotters are permitted to participate in the race.

Obama Gar, a colt sired by SJ’s Photo and with Italian champion Enrico Bellei in the bike, was the heavy favorite in the race. Bellei went for an early lead and seemed to control the race until Dell’Annunziata made his move from the middle of the field with Olona OK.

The filly, who is sired by the great champion Varenne, exploded and went past the field and before the last quarter she was in the lead by open lengths. Nobody was able to follow her and Olona OK was an easy winner of the 1-5/16th mile event in 1:58.3 (mile rate). The purse for the winner was $430,000.

Occhione Jet (sired by Pine Chip) finished second, while Odino Jet (sired by Naglo) finished third. Obama Gar had to settle for fifth place.

The Oaks del Trotto was won by the Swedish-owned filly Oyster Kronos, with trainer/driver Lutfi Kolgjini in the bike, in 1:55.4f. Oyster Kronos, who is sired by Conway Hall, earned $125,000 for the victory.

Lutfi Kolgjini returned to the winner’s circle later with his new top international trotter Joke Face (sired by Viking Kronos), who just managed to hold off a late charge by Belgium-owned Marielles, with Christophe Martens, to win the Gran Premio Gaetano Turilli over the 1-5/16th mile distance, with a purse for the winner of $170,000. Joke Face was timed in 1:57.4f (mile rate).

Another Swedish trotting trainer, Robert Bergh, triumphed in Switzerland, where the European Derby for 4-year-old trotters over approximately 1-1/4 miles was raced. The appropriate name is the Grand Prix de l’UET and the total purse was $475.000.

This race is open to all trotters born and registered in a member country of the European Trotting Association, known as the UET.

The French trotter Timoko, with owner/trainer/driver Robert Westerink was the heavy favorite in the race. Timoko was unbeaten in five races this year, but a very optimistic Westerink used his trotter too much during the race, so Timoko couldn’t find an extra gear when Robert Bergh, behind Kadet C.D., made his move going into the stretch on the track in Avenches.

Kadet C.D. — a colt sired by Hambletonian winner Scarlet Knight — won in a new race record of 1:55.4f (mile rate), followed by Timoko and The Best Madrik — both of France.