by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The 7-year-old Swedish trotter Sebastian K, driven by Jorma Kontio, won the prestigious Aby Stora Pris at Aby racetrack near Gothenburg for the second straight year.

Aby Stora Pris is the only heat race in Sweden and this year the winner was to be decided in a race-off between the two heat winners, Save the Quick, a French mare driven by Björn Goop, and the defending champion, Sebastian K, driven by Jorma Kontio.

Save the Quick won the first heat in a photo finish with old-timer Commander Crowe in 1:53.1f. From post position seven, Sebastian K finished fourth.

For the second heat, the hind shoes were removed from Sebastian K and now racing from post position two he was in command the whole trip.

The fractions were cut much lower than in the first heat and Sebastian K was an easy winner in 1:56.4f, followed by Commander Crowe and Save the Quick.

In the race-off Sebastian K drew the rail and took command with Save the Quick behind. With 600 meters to go, Bjorn Goop made his move. Sebastian K responded, but it could have gone either way. Though the French mare fought bravely, she was not able to get past Sebastian K, who won in 1:55f.

This might be the last race for Sebastian K in Sweden, as he will follow his trainer, Ake Svanstedt, to the United States.

Svanstedt — the leading trainer in Sweden — will close his stable in November and move to Florida, where he will train from his camp at Vero Beach, bought several years ago in company with his big owner, Karl Erik Bender of Palema Stable.

Ake Svanstedt was stood down this Sunday and that’s why Jorma Kontio was driving Sebastian K.