by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The German trotter Brioni, with Joakim Lövgren, who was a surprising winner of the prestigious Elitlopp at Solvalla in late May, returned to action Saturday afternoon (July 16) in the Ârjang Sprint in Sweden and finished third, just beaten a length by Beanie M.M. and runner-up Marshland.

The race was a prep for Brioni and several of the other entries for the upcoming Abergs Memorial at Jägersro on July 26.

Oldtimer Torvald Palema, who recently won the Forus Open in Norway for the third time in a row, went to post as the favorite together with Rakas. However it was Beanie M.M., driven by Johnny Takter, who proved to be the best as the 8-year-old trotter won in 1:53.3f. The victory was not only worth a purse of $110,000, but Beanie M.M. got an invitation to also race in the Abergs. Torvald Palema finished fourth, while Rakas was last.

In Norway, the action is on at Jarlsberg and Friday night (July 15) the Jarlsberg Grand Prix for 4-year-old trotters was raced with two eliminations and a final.

Swedish trained Muscles Wiking B.R., with Björn Goop, was the heavy favorite, but was out of the race in the elimination as he went off stride going into the first bend and was disqualified.

Tourbillon — a gelding sired by the top French sire Ganymede — won an elimination and the final, folllowed by the other elimination winner, Triple Crown.

Tourbillon, driven by Tom Erik Solberg, won the final in 1:59.1f and picked up the purse for the winner of $108,000.

The mare’s division, which was raced Saturday afternoon, was won by Tabu B.R., a daughter to Tagliabue and out of the Valley Victory mare Victory Champagne. Tabu B.R. was driven by owner-trainer Simen B. Jensen and was timed in 1:58.4f.

At Palermo in Sicily, Italy, the Premio Mediterraneo, a race for 3-year-old trotters over the mile and with a total purse of $150,000, was won by Orione Vil driven by Vincenzo Villani in a new track record of 1:56.4f.

Orione Vil is sired by the Italian sire Eldgrado Bi. He is a son of the great Supergill. The dam of Orione Vil is Deborah Bi, she by Park Avenue Joe.