Solvalla: Elitloppet final captured by Don Fanucci Zet

Don Fanucci Zet went three-wide from second-over racing to three-quarters and out-finished Vivid Wise AS through the stretch drive to win today's Elitloppet final at Solvalla Racecourse in Sweden. The final time of 1.08.9 (mile rate of 1:50 4/5) made this the fastest final in the history of the "Elite Race."

Driven by Örjan Kihlström for trainer Daniel Redén, Don Fanucci Zet overcame post eight to finish second to Vivid Wise AS (Alessandro Gocciadoro) in his elimination, while Gelati Cut (Gabriele Gelormini) won the other elimination over Ecurie D. (Ulf Ohlsson). For the final, Vivid Wise AS had post one, with Gelati Cut, Ecurie D., and Don Fanucci Zet lined up to his outside. Don Fanucci Zet did have a major equipment change for the final, as Redén elected to pull his shoes.

In the final, Vivid Wise AS had a fast start, and the field quickly lined up behind him in post position order. Ecurie D committed to a first-over position on the opening turn, with Don Fanucci Zet gladly accepting the cover to sit second-over. Kihlström bided his time with Don Fanucci Zet from there, but then sent him three-wide with about 600 meters to go.

While Don Fanucci Zet was making headway three-wide, Vivid Wise AS was able to maintain command over a stalled Ecurie D., and Vivid Wise AS turned for home with the lead still in his possession. However, it was clear through the lane that Don Fanucci Zet had the best finishing kick, and he was able to work his way by Vivid Wise AS inside the final 50 meters to win by about a length. Gareth Boko (Mats Djuse) rallied for third, with Gelati Cut fourth from the pocket and Moni Viking (Björn Goop) back in fifth.

A 5-year-old stallion, Don Fanucci Zet is a homebred for the Brixton Medical AB/Stall Zet group, and is by Hard Livin, a son of SJ's Caviar who raced in the U.S. for Jimmy Takter, earning $539,448. Don Fanucci Zet's dam is a pacing-bred daughter of Western Terror named Kissed By The West, from the family of I Am A Fool and Cam's Fool. This was Don Fanucci Zet's 13th win from 22 career starts, and he has now earned 8,413,500 Swedish kronas (just over a million in USD).

It was certainly a case of redemption for Don Fauncci Zet's connections, as they won the Elitloppet in 2020 with Propulsion, only to lose the victory as part of the ordeal where Propulsion's European results were thrown out due to a nerving procedure he underwent before being exported.