by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Oasis Bi, driven by Johnny Takter, was lucky in finding racing room at the pylons down the stretch and caught leader Voltigeur du Myrt, driven by Gabriele Gelormini, to win Italy’s prestigious Gran Premio Lotteria at the Agnano track near Naples Sunday afternoon (May 1).

Gerard Forni photo

Oasis Bi won Italy’s prestigious Gran Premio Lotteria Sunday afternoon.

Italian bred, but Swedish trained and owned Oasis Bi was the second favorite in the final after winning one of the three eliminations in 1:54f. The other eliminations were won by the French trotter Voltigeur du Myrt in a new track record of 1:53.3f and Pascia Lest, driven by Pietro Gubelllini, in 1:54f.

As the gate left the field in the final Oasis Bi was able to take command followed by Voltigeur du Myrt on the outside. With five-eighths of mile to go Voltigeur du Myrt took the lead and Oasis Bi seemed to be boxed in.

Going into the stretch it looked like Voltigeur du Myrt was going to win, but as he started to drift to the outside Oasis Bi found racing room, which Takter saw immediately. Oasis Bi finished strong to win by a half-length in 1:53.4f, followed by Voltigeur du Myrt and Princess Griff. Pascia Left finished fourth after an unlucky trip.

The purse for the winner was $240,000.

The 8-year-old Oasis Bi was sired by Toss Out (he by Supergill) and out of a Self Possessed mare. He is an older full brother to Robin Bi, who last year won the Copenhagen Cup (1-1/4 mile) in a world record 1:52.3f.

Earlier this year Oasis Bi was third in the Prix d’Amerique and second in the Gran Criterium de Vitesse at Cagnes sur Mer.

After the victory Sunday afternoon the connections of Oasis Bi were handed an invitation to race in the Elitlopp.

Saturday’s French winner of Criterium de Vitesse at Argentan, Un Mec d’Heripre, who won in 1:52.3, has also been invited to race in the Elittlop.