by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Europe’s richest international trotting race for 3-year-olds, the Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli at San Siro, Milan, was won on Monday (Nov. 1) by Nesta Effe, who was a $7,000 yearling two years ago.

Nesta Effe, driven by Roberto Vecchione, went into the final as the third favorite after the eliminations had been won very easily by the two Swedish entries, Muscles Wiking B.R. (driven by Bjorn Goop) and Formula One (driven by Erik Adielson).

As Norwegian-owned and bred, Muscles Wiking B.R. (sired by Muscles Yankee) was the most convincing elimination winner — timed in 1:57.4f — and he was made the heavy favorite at 1-2 in the final, followed by Formula One, who won his elim in 1:58f followed by Nesta Effe.

In the final, Muscles Wiking B.R. was in command from the start and looked like a winner going around the last corner. Formula One was placed outside without cover and tired going into the stretch with Nesta Effe, who had to go three wide around the last bend, now coming on to attack the leader.

Muscles Wiking B.R. couldn’t find another gear and Nesta Effe went first past the post by two lengths in 1:57f, followed by Muscles Wiking B.R. and a fast finishing Nuage del Ciel with Enrico Bellei.

Nesta Effe is trained by German-born Holger Ehlert, who is the leading trainer in Italy. The chestnut colt is from the first crop of Swedish-born Naglo — he a son to the French champion sire Coktail Jet.

Nesta Effe came to the stable of Holger Ehlert in May and Ehlert has developed him into a top class trotter. Three weeks ago Nesta Effe finished second in the Italian Trotting Derby.

Nesta Effe picked up a check for the winner of $160,000 and his total earnings are now $610,000. Not bad for a $7,000 yearling.

The Frank Antonacci trained Pretty Boy Lindy, driven by G. Lombardi, finished fourth in the elimination and fifth in the final. His placings were worth a total of $18,000.

The Orsi Mangelli Filly was won by the favorite, Nephenta Lux, driven by Pietro Gubellini in 1:57.3f. The Pine Chip daughter picked up a check of $65,000 for the win.

The Italian 2-year-old trotters met in the Gran Premio delle Aste Maschi-Finale with a purse for the winner of $120,000. Only trotters who were sold at a sale last year were eligible to race. Owens Gar (sired by Windsong’s Legacy) was a very easy winner in 2:00.1f. That was his second win from six races.

The filly division, which also carried a purse for the winner of $120,000, had a very easy winner in Otras Bi (sired by Self Possessed) in 1:59.4f. This was her fifth win from just as many starts. Pietro Gubellini was in the bike.