by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The 10-year-old Swedish trotter Opal Viking showed on Sunday night (August 15) that he’s still on top by winning the prestigious Gran Premio di Citta Montecatini in Italy.

Gerard Forni photo

Opal Viking won the Gran Premio di Citta Montecatini in Italy.

The Gran Premio di Citta Montecatini is a FFA over the mile at the half-mile track in Montecatini and is raced with two eliminations and a final.

Opal Viking, driven by Roberto Andreghetti, was an easy winner of his elimination in 1:56h, while the Italian trotter Italiano, driven by G. di Nardo, won the other elimination in 1:57h.

In the final Opal Viking took an early lead, while Italiano had to trot outside without cover. Italiano fought bravely, but was not able to threaten Opal Viking who won in 1:55.4h followed by Italiano and Linda di Casei.

Opal Viking got a purse for the winner in the final of $110,000, plus $11,500 for the win in the elimination. Opal Viking has raced 105 times and has won 53 races and has lifetime earnings of $3.25 million.