Solvalla, SE — The 7-year-old French gelding, Inexess Bleu, driven by Alexandre Abrivard, is a seasoned winner. Before Saturday’s (Oct. 11) UET Elite Circuit Final at Solvalla. He had already claimed 20 wins in 51 starts. Now, Inexess Bleu has 21 wins, as he finished strongly to defeat Sweden’s Don Fanucci Zet, winning in 1:52.2f (mile rate). The winner’s purse was $295,000.
Inexess Bleu, who as a gelding is excluded from the biggest classic races in his home country, is sired by the relatively unknown stallion Vittel de Brevol, who himself is by Jag de Bellouet.
It was a race day overflowing with major events at Solvalla, as the European Derby, the UET Grand Prix for 4-year-olds—with a first prize of $250,000—was also held, along with Sweden’s two biggest races for 3-year-olds: the Svenskt Trav-Kriterium (with a winner’s purse of $315,000) and the Svenskt Trav-Oaks (with $240,000 for the winner).
The UET Grand Prix ended with a Swedish victory for Dream Mine (sired by Maharajah), driven by Mats E. Djuse, in 1:53.3f (mile rate), followed by Bullet The Bluesky, driven by Daniel Wäjersten.
For the third year in a row, Sweden’s Stald SoFO won the Trav-Kriterium—after Fame and Glory and Bullet the Bluesky, this year it was Omega River (sired by Tactical Landing), trained and driven by Daniel Wäjersten, who won the 1-5/8-mile event in 1:56.4f (mile rate). The Oaks, over 1-5/16 miles, was won by Moder Teresa Sisu (sired by Walner) with Mats E. Djuse in the bike, timed in 1:54.4f (mile rate).