by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

The 10-year old French top trotter Timoko, driven by Björn Goop won the final in the Elitlopp on Sunday (May 28) at Solvalla in a new race record of 1.51. He was in front of Propulsion, driven by Johan Untersteiner, and Resolve, driven by Åke Svanstedt, by two lengths.

Timoko sails down the stretch to capture his second Elitlopp from his fifth attempt in a record time of 1:51.

After Bold Eagle’s very impressive win in 1.50 in his elimination earlier, it was very difficult to imagine any other trotter should win the final, which is worth $335,000 to the winner, other than Bold Eagle. Björn Goop, however, had a plan; not to win, but to secure a top spot and that was to send Timoko to the lead from start. And so he did, but his plan failed.

From post position five Goop fired, but on the inside Resolve, Bold Eagle and Nuncio tried to hold him off. Timoko took the lead followed by Resolve, while Nuncio, driven by Orjan Kihlström, ended up outside Timoko with Bold Eagle and Franck Nivard trailing him.

Nivard made his move with 600 meters to go, but it was soon obvious Bold Eagle was not capable to advance as he had to trot three-wide. Down the stretch no horse was able to reach the 30-1 shot Timoko, who won the Elitlopp for the second time from his fifth appearance in the final. Bold Eagle finished fourth, just ahead of Nuncio.

Timoko is owned and trained by Richard Westerink, who was born in the Netherlands, but has been a trotting trainer in France for many years.

Elitlopp Eliminations

French champion trotter Bold Eagle driven by Franck Nivard was a very impressive winner in the first elimination in the Elitlopp on Sunday (May 28) at Solvalla, as he won in a new European record of 1:50, though he was parked outside leading Delicious most of the trip.

Gerard Forni photos

Bold Eagle, set a new European standard of 1:50 en route to an easy score in his Elitlopp elimination.

But down the stretch there was just one horse at the track -Bold Eagle- who won by six lengths followed by Resolve, who was driven by Åke Svanstedt. Resolve had to overcome post position eight, but did receive a good start and soon found place behind Bold Eagle. He was not able to follow, however, when Nivard hit the gas pedal going into the stretch.

DD’s Hitman, driven by Ulf Ohlsson finished strong to third, while 12-year old Spring Erom, driven by Christoffer Eriksson was fourth.

Nuncio returned to form in the other elimination, where Ôrjan Kihlström could direct him to the front from the start. There was not much speed in this race and Nuncio would win in 1:52.4 followed by: Propulsion, driven by Johan Untersteiner, Timoko, driven by Björn Goop and In Vain Sund, driven by Erik Adielsson.

John Campbell was behind the Swedish 5-year old trotter, Tjacko ZAZ, who was a rookie in this race. Unfortunately Tjacko ZAZ became rough gaited going into the first bend, made a break and was disqualified.

The two eliminations were postponed because an earlier race at the card, one with a standing start, had to be recalled no less than five times.

The draw for the final is below:

1-Nuncio (US) – Ôrjan Kihlström
2-Bold Eagle (FR) – Franck Nivard
3-Propulsion (US) – Johan Untersteiner
4-Resolve (US) – Åke Svanstedt
5-Timoko (FR) – Björn Goop
6-DDs Hitman (US) – Ulf Ohlsson
7-In Vain Sund (SE) – Erik Adielsson
8-Spring Erom (SE) – Christoffer Eriksson