Solvalla, Sweden — Though he made a break at the half-mile and was forced to go four wide around the last corner, the 8-year-old French trotter Etonnant, with Anthony Barrier, won the Elitlopp final Sunday (May 29) at Solvalla with a purse for the winner of $510,000.

Etonnant is owned and trained by Dutch-born Richard Westerink, who also owned and trained legendary French trotter Timoko, who won the Elitlopp twice. In fact, Timoko became the first winner of the Elitlopp to sire a winner of the race.

Etonnant was timed in 1:51.3 and won by one length, followed by Hail Mary with Erik Adielsson. Third was Mister F Daag with Robin Bakker.

The favorite, Don Fanucci Zet with Ôrjan Kihlström, made a break shortly after the gate had left the field.

Huge 43-1 longshot wins Elitlopp elimination

Though Dutch-trained Mister F Daag, with Robin Bakker in the bike, came off a victory in Denmark’s Copenhagen Cup, he was an underdog in the second elimination in the Elitlopp on Sunday.

But the 7-year-old trotter (sired by Conway Hall) finished strong on the outside and was able to go by race favorite Hail Mary with Erik Adielsson to win in 1:51.1f. Third was Vivid Wise As with Mattheu Abrivard and fourth was Night Brodde with Conrad Lugauer.

The other elimination was won by the defending champion Don Fanucci Zet with Ôrjan Kihlström, though he was parked outside leading Ônas Prince with Per Nordström most of the trip. Don Fanucci Zet was also timed in 1:51.1f.

Click Bait with Ulf Ohlsson enjoyed a pocket trip and found racing room late to finish second, beating Ônas Prince who was in third place. Fourth place finisher Etonnant with Anthony Barrier also advanced to the final.