Solvalla: Propulsion finally an Elitloppet champion

Apparently the fifth time is the charm for Propulsion in the Elitloppet. Twice a runner-up in the Elite race, and despite not starting since January, Propulsion was expertedly piloted by Orjan Kihlstrom to victory in the final heat of the Swedish classic at Solvalla Racetrack.

It was far from an easy route to the final for the Daniel Reden trainee, as Propulsion was parked three-wide throughout his elimination earlier in the day. Elian Web (inside), Cokstile (first-over) and Propulsion spread across the track for much of the 1609-meter second elimination. In the end, Cokstile was super-sharp and pulled away in the stretch to soundly defeat pocket-sitter Racing Mange and the very game Propulsion. Attraversiamo had a smooth trip in the outer flow and came up flat while getting fourth to make the final.

Missle Hill controlled the first elimination on the lead, with Sorbet in the pocket and the outer tier comprising of Chief Orlando, Earl Simon and Milliondollarrhyme, in that order. On the final turn, Earl Simon and Milliondollarrhyme swung wide to make a run, and Earl Simon was undoubtably quickest, motoring to the front and winning rather easily. Missile Hill held second and Sorbet out-kicked Milliondollarrhyme after the perfect ground-saving trip.

In the second and final heat worth SEK 3 million, Missle Hill again charged to the front from post 4 and controlled the tempo as Racing Mange from post 1 came away in the pocket ahead of Earl Simon and Cokstile.

None of the main competitors was content with the pocket trip and Racing Mange started the outside flow to be followed by Earl Simon and Cokstile well before the second turn. Cokstile and driver Christoffer Erikson would swing wide early, allowing Propulsion to be third over as Kihlstrom bided his time.

The field fanned out into the stretch, with Earl Simon moving to the three-path, Cokstile four-deep and Propulsion widest as he easily powered past them all to win going away in a final time of 1.10.2.

Cokstile battled gamely to hold off Earl Simon for the place, but the Judges disqualified Earl Simon for interference 200 meters before the wire when he moved three wide. The dq resulted in Attraversiamo being placed third.

Propulsion, a son of Muscle Hill out of Danae, bred by Fredericka Caldwell and Bluestone Farms LLC, is owned by Stall Zet. The 9-year-old has now won 39 races in 79 career starts and earned SEK 34,343,693 ($3.64 million).

Hambletonian eligible makes his mark

Earlier on the Elitloppet card, Hambletonian-eligible Hell Bent For AM was ultra-impressive capturing the Jula-Hakan Wallner Memorial. Starting from post 4, the 3-year-old son of Muscle Hill was parked every step of the 2140-meter race and kept powering on to draw away from pacesetter Bolero Gar in the stretch.

Hell Bent For AM was driven by Orjan Kihlstrom for trainer Stefan Melander and owned by Anders Strom’s Courant AB. According to Strom, the Hambletonian is not in the plans for Hell Bent For AM.

“He has the $800,000 Swedish Criterium, which has a 30% extra Breeders award. As we bred him, it’s bigger than the Hambletonian,” said Strom about the race that goes at the end of September.