by Karsten Bønsdorf, , USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

In his farewell race on European soil, Commander Crowe, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, had to settle for second place in the Gran Premio Turilli at the Capannelle track in the Rome on Sunday afternoon.

Commander Crowe, who was the heavy favorite in the betting, had to trot outside leading Napoleon Bar most of the trip, but fought bravely down the stretch. However, the 5-year-old mare, Prussia, she by Ken Warkentin – finished strong and passed Commander Crowe to win in 1.54f with Roberto Andreghetti in the bike. Commander Crowe finished second in 1.54.1f

Commander Crowe is headed to the United States next week, where he will race in the Yonkers International Trot later this month and in the Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands next month.

At the Capannelle track, the Italian Trotting Derby for 3-year-old trotters was won by 17-1 longshot Sugar Rey, driven by Giampaolo Minnucci.

Minnucci, who is forever linked to the champion trotter, Varenne, gave Sugar Rey a good trip following the favorite, Sceicco. Going around the last turn Minnucci made his move and when leader Stankovic Ok, driven by Enrico Bellei, went off stride, Sugar Rei became an easy winner in 1.58f.

The purse for the winner was $400,000.

Sugar Rey is sired by the French sire, Look de Star – by Coktail Jet. The first three finishers in the Italian Derby were sired by French stallions.

The filly division – worth $115,000 to the winner – was won by Smeralda Jet, driven by A. di Nardo, in 1.56.2f. Smeralda Jet is sired by the Swedish sire, Gigant Neo.