by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Arch Madness and Brian Sears finished second in the Elitlopp on Sunday (May 27) in Stockholm. Commander Crowe, driven by Christophe Martens, was an easy winner in 1:53.1f.

Arch Madness was flying from the start and took command from his post position four, but before the half-mile marker Christophe Martens made his move with second elimination winner Commander Crowe and took over. Yarrah Boko, with Ulf Ohlsson, who won the other elimination, got parked out without cover outside Commander Crowe.

Around the last corner Christophe Martens was in control and down the stretch he let Commander Crowe go and no one was able to follow him. Commander Crowe won by 1-1/2 lengths, followed by Arch Madness, while the German trotter Classic Grand Cru with Bjorn Goop finished third, just a nose before a brave Yarrah Boko.

The French trotter Rapide Lebel, who was the morning line favorite for the final, was a huge disappointment and finished fifth.

The purse for the winner was $420,000, while Arch Madness picked up $165,000 in the final.

Earlier in the day, Arch Madness was beaten by a nose by Commander Crowe in the second elimination in the Elitlopp.

Arch Madness took command after the first quarter, while Commander Crowe had to trot outside without cover. Down the stretch Arch Madness was still in command, but at the finish line Commander Crowe just managed to get his nose first on the line to win in 1:51.3f.

The French trotter Oyonnax, driven by Kenneth Nielsen, finished strong on the outside to finish third, just a nose in front of Classic Grand Cru with Bjorn Goop.

The Canadian entry Windsong Geant, with Rick Zeron, did not qualify for the Elitlopp final as he finished unplaced in the first elimination.

The Norwegian owned, but Swedish bred, trotter Yarrah Boko, driven by Ulf Ohlsson, was a minor surprise as he won after a strong effort in 1:52.1f, followed by the German trotter Brioni, who won the race last year. Third was long leading Sebastian K of Sweden, while the favorite Rapide Lebel of France was fourth.

Going aound the last turn it looked like Rapide Lebel faded, but down the stretch he came back and finished strongly to secure his spot in the final.