by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

After his win in the Su Mac Lad Trot final this past Friday evening at the Meadowlands, Lucky Jim has been invited to race in the Elitlopp at Solvalla, Sweden on Sunday, May 30. This is the first invitation the Solvalla management have handed out.

Enough Talk, who raced in the Elitlopp last year, and the Canadian trotter Define The World are also on the short list to get an invitation.

The Elitlopp is raced with two eliminations and a final and a total of 16 trotters will get an invitation to participate.

Legendary French trotter Tenor de Baune dies

After a severe bout of colic, 25-year-old legendary French trotter Tenor de Baune died on Monday, April 19.

Tenor de Baune was the only trotter ever to win the prestigious Prix d’Amerique as an undefeated horse. He took victory number 30 in as many starts in the 1991 Prix d’Amerique.

After his win in the Prix d’Amerique Tenor de Baune only managed to win three more races from 14 starts.

He went to stud and has been quite successfull in France.

Island Effe ready for Lotteria

Last year the Italian mare Island Effe, driven by Pietro ,Gubellini won the Gran Premio delle Lotteria, the richest mile and heat race in Italy, as an outsider.

This year Island Effe will be one of the favorites in the race, which takes place on Sunday, May 3, at the Agnano racetrack in Naples.

Island Effe had her final preparation in the Gran Premio Renzo Orlandi at the Modena racetrack this weekend and she finished strongly, winning in 1:57.2f. The purse for the winner was $62,000.

Björn Goop still out

Leading Swedish driver Björn Goop is still sidelined after his fall in Norway nearly three weeks ago. Goop was involved in a crash at Klosterskogen and still has problems with his wrists. He hopes to return to racing on Wednesday, April 28, at Solvalla.