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Publicerad 1998-10-05
A lucky Swedish Criterium - for Lucky Po...
It is an understatement to say there was an upset winner in the SEK 2.6 million ($325.000) Swedish Criterium for 3-year olds when Lucky Po (Quick Pay) with trainer / driver Stefan "Photo-Tarzan" Melander in the bike crossed the wire as the winner. Maybe not for Stefan though, who opened the race with a furious first quarter in 28 seconds, (the race was over 2640 meters, or 1.64 miles), determined to go to the top and stay there. But when he saw that co-favored Home Alone (Ultra Ducal) went off stride he stepped on the brake, and controlled events until the wire. As he crossed the finish line Lucky Po was ahead by a length, and even if the other top-contenders (Gidde Palema and Vikings Gustav) challenged in the homestrestretch they had nothing to show for it. It was a popular victory and the 9.000 spectators applauded wildly as Stefan entered the winner's circle.
Lucky Po has been one of the better Swedish 3-year olds all year long, but was not considered as a top horse until yesterdays Classic win. He was challenged from the beginning by both Sacred Spirit (Baltic Speed) and Gidde Palema (Alf Palema), but held off all attacks. When the pace slackened Sacred Spirit found his place behind the winner, while Gidde Palema had to accept a race first over with no cover. One of the prefavorites, the undefeated Home Alone (Ultra Ducal) by then had made a break and lost 10 lenghts (he made another break later in the race), while another of the pre-race winners, Vikings Gustav (Texas), found a perfect spot second over.
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