Publicerad 1998-09-24

Plus & minus in Kriterium eliminations.

Unfortunately the Kriterium week this year falls in the same period as the racing and sales action in Lexington, Ky. Most often during past years the racing calendars allowed the international enthusiasts to watch them both. Not so this year.

Last night we saw both positive efforts and negative, when the top colts met, but overall the final field of 12 is made up of the best of the crop, and the race is still a wideopen question.

During the season, the K.G.B Stable's Home Alone (Ultra Ducal - Holly´s Finest) has been on everybody´s lips. But Home Alone has had a forced racing-stop, before returning the winner's circle last night, taking his sixth straight in an unblemished career for trainer/driver Stig H. Johansson i the 5th elim. Victory Tilly (Quick Pay) joined him, as the two on top were cleared for the final.

Home Alone took the lead after an easy start and was trotting alone in the front for most of the way. He will certainly be the favorite for the laurels come October 4th.

A colt under development is the son of Texas, Vikings Gustav, who under the guidance of Orjan Kihlstrom won the first elim very easily, taking his 4th win in his 5th outing. Criks Hurricane (Buck Newton) was 2nd. Igor Brick (Super Arnie) made an disappointing effort as third.

Stefan Melander has his stable in full swing and took another meriting win in the second elim, entering Lucky Po (Quick Pay) for the final after a wire to wire effort ahead of Sober Judge (Lemoyne Square). Gloss Yatzee did not rise to the occasion.

Sacred Spirit (Baltic Speed - Emerald City) has the pedigree of a star-performer. As halfbrother to Rite On Line, he has to prove a lot, and did so for trainer/driver Peter Untersteiner in elim 3 without any problems. King Orly (Spotlite Lobell also made it after a strong effort.

Big Toro (Big Spender) was a surprise winning, when he downed favored Peasant Crown for oldtimer Olle Lindqvist. Maxi Ferrari (Zoot Suit) finished well to earn his ticket.

The main challenge to Home Alone is Gidde Palema, a most attractive son of Alf Palema, who with catch-driver Jim Frick (Ake Svanstedt was sidelined) in elim 6 showed that he will be a formadible opponent October 4th. Gidde Palema won after going to the top with 1500 meters left, replacing Ursus Broline (Nuclear Kosmos) and Stig H Johansson in the lead. At the wire the two were 1-2 giving Stig H. Johansson two horses in the final.

The field for $ 335.000 Trotting Kriterium

1. Lucky Po,
2. Home Alone,
3. Gidde Palema,
4. Sacred Spirit,
5. Vikings Gustav,
6. Criks Hurricane,
7. Victory Tilly,
8. Maxi ferrari,
9. Big Toro,
10. King Orly,
11. Ursus Broline,
12. Sober Judge.