by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The Swedish trainer Lutfi Kolgjini not only won the Ulf Thoresens Memorial on Sunday (July 18) at Jarlsberg in Norway with Raja Mirchi, but his other entry in the race, Nadir Kronos, finished second. Kolgjini also won the filly division with Knowledge Face.

Kolgjini is well known for his very aggressive driving in the races as he likes to be in command at the front. Raja Mirchi and Knowledge Face were the early leaders in their races and they both won handily.

Raja Mirchi, who last year raced twice at the Meadowlands without any luck, took his 10th win from 14 starts and with the purse for the winner of $100,000 he now has lifetime earnings of $240,000. He won the 1-5/16th mile event in 1:59.2 (mile rate).

Raja Mirchi is eligible for the Hambletonian, but is not likely to go, according Kolgjini. He is sired by Viking Kronos, who is also the sire of Knowledge Face. His dam is Dame Lavec, she by the French sire Quito de Talonay and out of Kit Lobell, who won the International Trot at Yonkers.

Raja Mirchi is a half brother to Lavec Kronos, he by Enjoy Lavec, who on Saturday won the Swedish gold division, Årjängs Stora Sprinterlopp, driven by Erik Adielsson with a purse for the winner of $70,000. Lavec Kronos is also trained by Lutfi Kolgjini.

Nadir Kronos, who finished second to Raja Mirchi, is sired by the great champion Varenne.

Another offspring to Varenne is Navy Seal, who was the heavy favorite in the Anders Jahre Trophy. Navy Seal won very easily with Bo Westergaard in the bike in 1:54f.