by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Maharajah, the Swedish favorite in the Elitlopp, to be raced at Solvalla this Sunday (May 26), has been scratched due to a minor injury in a hind leg.

This is definitely a big blow for the interest in the race as Maharajah is “the trotting darling of Sweden.”

“He trained very well Monday and was fine afterwards. However, Thursday morning we found him to be warm in a hind leg, which earlier has troubled him,” trainer Stefan Hultman said.

“Our vet has scanned him and found there was a minor problem, but as we don’t want to take any risk with Maharajah there was nothing else to do than scratch him.”

Maharajah is owned by Travkompaniet, who has more than 4,500 shareholders; 500 of them will be at Solvalla and by luck, they have another horse in the race, Panne de Moteur.