by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Rank outsider Negresco Milar, with trainer/driver M. Guzzinati, came from behind to win the prestigious Gran Premio d’Europa — a 1-5/16th mile event at San Siro, Milan in 1:57f (mile rate). The purse for the winner was $182,250.

As the field turned for home the favorite, Nesta Effe with Roberto Vecchione, was in command, but down the stretch the chestnut mare tired. She became rough gaited and just before the finish line she began to pace, which meant that she was disqualified and placed last.

Nesta Effe was second past the post as Negresco Milar finished strongly to win by a length. Now Nephenta Lux — a 22-1 shot with Pietro Gubbelini in the sulky — was placed second, just ahead of a very fast finishing Norton Ans with Giampaolo Minnucci.

Negresco Milar is a grandson to Malabar Man. His sire, CC’s Chuckie T, is also the sire of Mack Grace SM, who last year won the Palio dei Comuni and this year is the winner of the Gran Premio Renzo Orlandi.

The filly division over the mile was won by Nalda Nof (sired by Supergill), driven by Pietro Gubellini in 1:56f. The purse for the winner was $53,400.

Gubellini was also in the bike behind Owen CR in the Prix Veneto — a 1-5/16th mile event for 3-year-old trotters. Owen CR was timed in 1:58.2f (mile rate) and the purse for the winner was $26,700. Owen CR is sired by Cantab Hall.

In the filly division, which also was contested over the 1-5/16th mile distance, Lou Guida-owned OK America won in 1:59.4f (mile rate) with Antonio Greppi in the bike. The purse for the winner was $26,700.

OK America is sired by Andover Hall and out of Zagabria Dei, who is also the dam of Guida’s top international trotter Lisa America (sired by Varenne). This was her fourth win from seven races.