by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

On Wednesday night (Nov. 30), ATG, who handles all betting on horse racing in Sweden, launched a new bet, the V86, at the races at Solvalla.

You may have heard about the successful V75 and in the V86 one more race is added, so a handicappers have to pick eight winners to win the first prize. There are two consolation prizes for picking seven and six winners. Each combination is five pence.

The total handle in just the V86 was $5 million. That was more than expected and twice the handle in the V64, which the V86 replaces every Wednesday night.

Nobody was able to pick the eight winners. Six bettors came close, but their favorite, Nettan Palema, was beaten by a nose in the last leg. If Nettan Palema had won they would have received $220,000 and consolation prizes.

The main event Wednesday night at Solvalla was the Solvalla Grand Prix final for 4-year-old trotters. Kadet CD with trainer/driver Robert Bergh was the odds-on favorite, but went offstride and was disqualified and placed last.

Instead the mare Aisle Stand, driven by Claes Sjöström and a 20-1 shot, won. She was followed by Global Money driven by Björn Goop.

Aisle Stand is sired by Hambletonian winner Scarlet Knight, who really has had a banner year with his offspring this year. Third past the post was Haraldinho, who is also sired by Scarlet Knight.

Next Wednesday (Dec. 7), Yonkers Trot winner Leader Of The Gang will make his European debut at Solvalla. Leader Of The Gang, who in the United States was campaigned by Jimmy Takter, has recently been sold to Sweden, where he will be trained by Daniel Redén.