by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Internet Newsroom Correspondent
The 5-year old Italian trotter, Urlo dei Venti, driven by Enrico Bellei, established himself in the international trotting elite winning the prestigious Oslo Grand Prix very comfortably and equaling the race record of 1.53.2f (mile rate) on Sunday (June 11).
Gerard Forni photo
Urlo dei Venti, captured the Oslo Grand Prix in grand style in his first appearance outside of Italy.
A field of 10 trotters lined up behind the gate at the Bjerke racetrack in Norway with last year’s winner of the race, Twister Bi, driven by Christoffer Eriksson, as the favorite. Twister Bi , however, went off-stride as the gate left the field and was out of the race.
Bellei, the 23-time Italian driver champion who never had raced in Norway, directed Urlo dei Venti to the front and was in command the entire trip. Urlo dei Venti won by 5-1/2 lengths followed by the Norwegian trotter, Evil Enok ME ,driven by Noralf P. Bräkken, who was a 72-1 shot.
Although Urlo dei Venti came from victory in the Gran Premio Lotteria in Naples last month, he was just the third choice in the betting. It was the first time he raced in a Group 1 race outside Italy, but he surely showed he is an international trotting star.
Urlo dei Venti – which can be translated to “Crying in the wind” is sired by Italian trotter, Mago d’Amore, he by legendary Italian stallion Lemon Dra and out of a Donerail mare. The dam of Urlo dei Venti is Armbro Wealthy, she is by Malabar Man and out of Starlet Crown by Speedy Crown
On the undercard, Giveitgasandgo, driven by Erik Adielsson, won in impressive style in 1.52.3f. Giveitgasandgo is now owned in Norway and trained by Frode Hamre and is on his way to international stardom.