by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

The 5-year-old Propulsion, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, is ready for the Elitlopp after winning the Finlandia Ajo in impressive style on Sunday (May 8).

Even though Propulsion had to trot outside leader Tycoon Conway Hall the last lap at the Vermo track, he won in a hand drive from Kihlström in a new track record of 1:52.3f.

The purse for the winner was $125,000.

Propulsion was sold at the Summer Mixed Sale at The Meadowlands last year for $210,000 to Swedish trainer Daniel Redén. He has raced the son of Muscle Hill six times in Europe and Propulsion has not been close to beaten.

“He was not tired past the post,” driver Ôrjan Kihlström said. “This is really a top trotter.”

Propulsion raced 21 times in the United States, winning eight races, before he was sold to Sweden. He took a mark of 1:52.1 and earned $86,178.