Solvalla: Balanced group of 16 meet up in 2020 Elitloppet
Trotters from five countries across Europe will convene at Solvalla Racetrack on Sunday, May 31 for the 2020 Elitloppet. Although the premier International event may lack the same fanfare as in past years due to COVID-19 restrictions that will keep tens-of-thousands of patrons on the outside looking in, the show will go on, and is likely to produce an interesting result considering the composition of the 16-horse group.
Early wagering presents the Elitloppet as a wide-open affair, with Propulsion listed by ATG as a rising 6.99 favorite (as of 8PM May 30) over Elian Web (9.82), Cokstile (9.20), Vivid Wise As (9.48) and Tae Kwon Deo (8.48). Four other horses from the bunch are listed at 14.55 or lower.
Cokstile, a Norwegian-bred with an Italian trainer (Rocco Spagnulo) and Swedish driver (Christoffer Eriksson), is an interesting horse of the favorites. The 7-year-old earned his spot in the Elitloppet with a very impressive off-the-pace victory in the Algot Scotts Minne at Åby in Sweden, easily besting Billie de Montfort (third), who drew post 2, three slots inside Cokstile in the elimination.
"Cokstile got an ok post and I think he has a good chance to go to the final," said Eriksson, who was also hopeful for a strong performance in the 1609-meter two-heat event. "It feels like we can have a good chance to win (the final) right now. We will have to see which race he does in the elimination."
Also in the second elimination are early public choices Propulsion (post 8), Elian Web (post 1) and Tae Kwon Deo (post 3), so the task won't be easy for Cokstile, who makes a return appearance in the Elitloppet after a poor showing two years ago.
Propulsion was second in both the 2017 and 2018 finals. The now 9-year-old finished fourth in 2019 and has not raced since finishing 11th in the Prix d'Amerique back in January for trainer Daniel Reden, who also sends out Missle Hill and Sorbet in the eliminations on Sunday.
The first elimination is split evenly between newcomers and 2019 Elitloppet competitors. Sorbet (post 2), Disco Volente (post 3), Milliondollarrhyme (post 6) and Looking Superb (post 7) make return trips to Solvalla on the last Sunday in May. While all now have Elitloppet experience, none finished better than fifth in the final and Sorbet and Disco Volente did not get past the first heat.
The newcomers include Vivid Wise As (post 1), Missle Hill (post 4), Chief Orlando (post 5) and Earl Simon (post 8). Of the group, Missle Hill comes in with the best form, having won two straight races, both at a similar distance (1640m) to the Elitloppet. Earl Simon leads the second elimination field in earnings at 8.95 million Krona (just over $931K U.S.).
While COVID-19 prevented any North American horses from making the trek over the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. is well-represented by way of Muscle Hill. The superstar stallion with double-digit millionaires to his credit has a trio of sons in the field. Missle Hill, Tae Kwon Deo and Propulsion technically represent Sweden but trace their roots to Muscle Hill and began their careers in the States.
For Deo Volente Farms owner Michael Gulotta, seeing a colt he bred win the Elitloppet would be the thrill of a lifetime. "We would be absolutely thrilled out of our minds if the horse was to win," said Gulotta, who still owns the Tae Kwon Deo’s mom, Brigham Dream. "We would be so proud that if in just the first few years of our breeding operation, that we could produce an Elitloppet winner and establish our farm as an international force."
Post time for the first elimination heat of the Elitloppet, race 6 on the card, is 11:20 AM E.D.T. The second elimination heat is set for 11:45 AM. Due to the lack of spectators, the 6,000,000 Krona (approx. $624,000 U.S.) final is expected to be later in the day this year, with an estimated post time of 2:30 E.D.T.
1st Elimination - Race 6 - 11:20 AM E.D.T.
1 Vivid Wise As Björn Goop
2 Sorbet Per Linderoth
3 Disco Volante Carl Johan Jepson
4 Missle Hill Johan Untersteiner
5 Chief Orlando Rikard Skoglund
6 Milliondollarrhyme Fredrik Larsson
7 Looking Superb Jomar Blekkan
8 Earl Simon Franck Ouvrie
2nd Elimination - Race 7 - 11:45 AM E.D.T.
1 Elian Web Jorma Kontio
2 Billie de Montfort Gabriele Gelormini
3 Tae Kwon Deo Adrian Kolgjini
4 Attraversiamo Erik Adielsson
5 Cokstile Christoffer Eriksson
6 Racing Mange Joakim Lövgren
7 Makethemark Ulf Ohlsson
8 Propulsion Örjan Kihlström