by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

One of Italy’s leading drivers, Pietro Gubellini, came close to a double win in the Gran Criterium for 2-year-old trotters.

He was first past the post in the filly division with Otras Bi and also crossed the wire first in the main event with Owen’s Club, but unfortunately, the latter became rough gaited 50 yards from the finish line and was disqualified and placed last.

Both Gubelini trotters were undefeated heading into Sunday’s (Nov. 14) stakes races.

Owen’s Club, who made a sensational debut in September when he equaled the European record for 2-year-old trotters of 1:57.3f, went into the Gran Criterium as the 3-10 favorite. Gubellini sent Owen’s Club directly to the front and nobody was able to follow the leader around the last corner. Going down the stretch Owen’s Club was leading by 10 lengths or more when he suddenly became rough gaited and began to pace.

Instead the victory, worth $125,000, went to 37-1 longshot Opal Brown, driven by Fred Esposito, who was timed in 2:01.1f. Opal Brown is sired by Toss Out, who is also the sire of the second place finisher Oasis Bi, who had the top Swedish driver Ôrjan Kihlström in the bike.

So Pietro Gubellini had to settle for the win with the filly, Otras Bi. She went into the race as the 1-5 favorite, having won her first five races. Otras Bi was in command the whole trip and won in 1:59.1f. The purse for the winner was $50,000. She‘s sired by Self Possessed and now has earnings of $190,000.

Otras Bi recently won the final in the filly division in the Gran Premio delle Aste, a race for trotters sold at a sale last year. Otras Bi was sold for $19,000 at the Asta Selezionata 2009 organized by the Italian breeders association, ANACT.