by Karsten Bønsdorf
The French trotting monster, Rapide Lebel is more than ready to travel to Canada for the Breeders Crown next month. And San Pail and company will definitely be in for a tough task. Saturday afternoon Rapide Lebel showed how good he is, winning the Aby Grand Prix at Aby in Gothenburg, Sweden in two straight heats
The Aby Grand Prix is one of very few heat races in Europe for top trotters.
Rapide Lebel was most impressive in the first heat, where he trotted outside leading Local Conch the whole trip.
Despite the trip Rapide Lebel (Eric Raffin) was an easy winner in a new race and track record of 1.52.2f, followed by Sebastian K (Lutfi Kolgjini) and Yarrah Boko (Ulf Olhson). Brinoni (Joakim Lövgren), who won the Elitlopp earlier this year, finished fourth.
In the second heat Rapide Lebel was able to take command after the first quarter and again was an easy winner in 1.55f. Sebastian K finished second, while last year’s winner of the Elitlopp, Iceland, finished third. Brioni was fourth.
Winning both heats meant that Rapide Lebel was in for a bonus, so the total win purse he earned was $230,000.
On the same card the European Championship for 5-year-old trotters was raced over 1-5/16 mile with a purse for the winner of $83,500.
Joke Face, who last year won the Swedish Trotting Derby, was the 1-2 favorite for trainer/driver Lutfi Kolgjini and fulfilled expectations.
Joke Face was in command from the start and won easily in 1.56.3f followed by the French trotter, Sancho du Glay (Eric Raffin), while Alvena Pelle of Sweden finishing third.