Stockholm, Sweden – Both eliminations for the Elitlopp at Solvalla were won by 10-year-old trotters.
First Sweden’s Don Fanucci Zet, then France’s Go On Boy.
And not only are they the same age, but they are also both previous Elitloppet winners.
Daniel Redén-trained Don Fanucci Zet won in 2021 and Go On Boy won last year.
Don Fanucci Zet, driven by France’s Paul Philippe Ploquin, took the lead in a battle with France’s Idao de Tillard and Clément Duvaldestin, who then tucked into the pocket — and never got out.
Don Fanucci Zet won convincingly in 1:51.4f, ahead of Sweden’s Dream Mine with Mats E. Djuse, while Italy’s Diva Ek with Alessandro Gocciadoro finished third. Idao de Tillard — parked in behind Don Fanucci Zet — just managed to qualify for the final by a nose over Sweden’s Borups Victory.
In the second heat, Dexter Dunn sat behind Germany’s Gio Cash, sending him to the front, where he led until midway down the stretch. There, under pressure from Go On Boy, Gio Cash broke stride and went off gait, ending his chances.
Go On Boy, driven by his trainer Romain Derieux, won convincingly in 1:50.3 ahead of a very strong-finishing Jobspost with Björn Goop and France’s Inexess Bleu with Alexandre Abrivard.
The last spot in the final went to Allegiant with Örjan Kihlström, who crossed the wire with plenty left in the tank.