Wishing Stone wins Kings Trophy elim in Sweden
April 28, 2011,by Karsten Bønsdorf
Kentucky Futurity winner Wishing Stone, driven by French driver Jean Michel Bazire, was the odds on favorite in the first of four eliminations in The Kings Trophy, an international race for 4–year-old trotters over 1-5/16 mile on Thursday night at Aby, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Claes Kärrstrand, Kanal 75
Wishing Stone won one of 4 eliminations for The Kings Trophy in Sweden on Thursday.
Wishing Stone had to race from the second tier, but overcame the handicap and worked out a fourth-over trip with cover. Around the final turn Bazire decided to make his move and Wishing Stone took off down the stretch and got the nose in front to win in 1.58f over Octopus, driven by Eric Adielsson.
“With 150 meters to go I felt sure that we were going to win. He’s a nice little trotter with a big heart and he always does his best. We’ll be back in the final with a good chance,” said Jean Michel Bazire.
The winner’s share of the purse for final on Thursday, May 12 is $165,000.
The other three eliminations were won by Raja Mirchi (Lutfi Kolgjini) in 1.57.2f, Kadett CD (Robert Bergh) in 1.57.3f and Utility Bus (Ôrjan Kihlström) in 1.59.1f.
The draw for the final took place after the races and Wishing Stone will race from post position two in the final.