by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Nuncio, who last year won the Yonkers Trot and the Kentucky Futurity, and finished second in the Hambletonian, has received an invitation to the Elitlopp after his second win in Sweden Wednesday night (May 6).

Nuncio went to post in a mile event at Solvalla as a 1-10 favorite and though he was not as good as he was in his first race in Sweden a fortnight ago, he won handily for owner/trainer Stefan Melander.

“He was not at his best today. In the warm up I was a little concerned by the way he acted,” Melander said. “I drove very patiently in the race and let him do the job himself. I think if I had earplugs on him, he would have won by open lengths.”

Nuncio was timed in 1:54.3f and the winning margin was just a half-length to Västerbo Highflyer, driven by Johan Untersteiner.
After the race Melander got the invitation for the Elitlopp, but he did not accept it immediately.

“I want to race Nuncio one more time before I decide if I shall accept the invitation or not,” Melander said.

Melander is planning to race Nuncio in a fortnight at Solvalla.

Another North American trotter who has been invited to the Elitlopp and whose connections have accepted is Jimmy Takter-trained Maven.

Takter trained Maven again Wednesday morning at Jägersro before heading to the airport and he will be back in New Jersey later today.

Maven will race in the Copenhagen Cup this coming Sunday (May 10) at Charlottenlund.