Stockholm — Go On Boy, with his trainer Romain Derieux in the bike, was an easy winner of Elitloppet, at Solvalla, in 1:50 — the best time by a trotter in the world this year.
Go On Boy, who advanced to the final via a second-place finish behind Swedish Mellby Jinx and Mats Djuse in his elimination, finished brilliantly in the final and won by three lengths ahead of the hard-fighting Don Fanucci Zet and Hohneck.
After three consecutive wins by French horses, the Swedes had hoped for a home victory in Europe’s biggest mile race this year, the Elitlopp.
After victories by both Mellby Jinx and Don Fanucci Zet in the two eliminations, hopes for a Swedish victory rose, but no one was able to challenge Go On Boy in the final.
Go On Boy earned 5 million Swedish krona ($525,000) for the victory. The 9-year-old has been one of Europe’s best horses for several years, with wins in races such as the Prix de France and Prix de UET Elite Circuit, and has earned approximately $2.8 million.
Go On Boy, sired by Password (by Goetmals Wood), also serves as a breeding stallion. His first crop is 3 years old this year.