A 37-1 longshot, 9-year old Norwegian trotter Hickothepooh, trained by Trond Andersen with Vidar Hop in the bike sprang a surprise winning the biggest international trotting race in Finland, the Finlandia Ajo in 1.52.2f.  Next Direction and Vernissage Grif were second and third, respectively.

The Swedish favorite, Milliondollarrhyme with trainer/driver Fredrik B. Larsson, was in command from start, but was very headstrong and opened in :27.2 for the first quarter and :54.4 for the half-mile.

Going into the stretch, Milliondollarrhyme was still leading the way, but he tired and as the Italian trotter Vernissage Grif with trainer/driver Alessandro Gocciadoro at the helm, took the lead from Milliondollarrhyme.

But on the outside, Hickothepooh came fast and won very handily.  The Finnish trotter Next Direction got up to finish second.

The winner’s share of the purse $135,000.

After the surprising victory, Hickothepooh was invited to race in the Elitlopp.

At Vincennes in France, the best French trotters met in the Prix Kerjacques over 1-11/16 mile led by Elitlopp-bound Dorgos de Guez and trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire in the bike.

A 12-10-shot in the wagering, Dorgos de Guez led into the stretch before fading to finish fifth allowing stablemate, Davidson du Pont with Nicolas Bazire to win in 1:55.4 (mile rate).

Davidson du Pont, who had been difficult to handle since finishing second in the Prix d’Amerique in January, returned to that form in the win.