September 27. 2015 – Today’s Gr. I National Swedish Kriterium (2SEK million to the winner, 2640 meters autostart) went to Readly Express (3m Ready Cash-Caddie Dream-Viking Kronos) in 1.12.8kr by three-quarters of a length for driver Jorma Kontio and trainer Timo Nurmos. The winner, second choice in the race wagering, recorded his fifth career win, with one second, in six starts as he defeated Pythagoras Face (3m Muscle Hill-Occitane-Hasting) with Orjan Kihlstrom up for trainer Roger Walmann. Previously unbeaten favorite Mister JP (3m Taurus Dream-Baghdad Dream-Yankee Glide) set the pace for trainer/driver Bjorn Goop and owner J-P Barjon, before tiring off the last turn, and ending third. Cupido Sisu (3g Judge Joe-Dream Hanover-Pine Chip) was fourth with JohnnyTakter teaming. The winner closed stoutly off rated fractions (1.11.1kr after 500 meters; 1.13.7kr at the 1000; 1.14kr 1t 1500; 1.13.5kr at 2000 mark).
The co-featured Swedish Oaks (1.4SEK million to winner, 2140 meters autostart, 12 starters) went to 33/1 outsider Spoil Me (3f Going Kronos-Mystic Ann-Kadabra) with Kenneth Haugstad aboard for trainer Walmann. Princess Face (3f Muscle Hill-Hepburn Broline-Pine Chip) was second for trainer/driver Lutfi Kolgjini with third to stablemate Pasithea Face (3f Muscle Hill-Jovelinotte-Passionant) with Adrian Koljini teaming. Fourth went to Facile Boko (3f Virgill Boko-Zacile Boko-Muscles Yankee). Favored Tunika was disqualified. Spoil Me was clocked in 1.11.5kr, 2:33 over the distance.
An interesting undercard showcased wins by horses with US connections, breeding or otherwise:
- Raffinos (5f Chocolatier-Honeyed-Mack Lobell) in the Diamondstoet Final worth 200,000SEK to the winner
- Amity (3f Ganymede-Ebony DK-Royal Troubador) in the Oaks Consolation with 100,000SEK to winner
- Heaven’s Door (4f Muscle Hill-Girlie Tough-Conway Hall) won the four year-olds mares race to earn 50,000SEK
- Carmine AM (3m Muscle Hill-Attid VG-Spotlite Lobell) won a three year-old open event to earn 50,000SEK
- Oh Goodness (5f Chocolatier-Minnesota Carol-Garland Lobell) won 50,000SEK with a 1.14.4 victory over 2140 meters autostart in a four year-old conditioned event
- Faye Bros (3f Explosive Matter-Vina Boko-Trade Balance) took a three year-old conditioned event to earn 50,000SEK with Jorma Kontio up
- Global Revenge (4g Donato Hanover-Keystone Sunshine-Self Possessed) earned 100,000SEK with a Kat. I victory
- Heavy Sound (3g Ken Warkentin-Illustre November-Viking Kronos) earned 100,000SEK for a Kriterium Consolation win driven by Kenneth Haugstad for Roger Walmann. This one is a half-brother to Just Stunning by Muscle Hill.
- Britelite AM (4f Cash Hall-Intensite-Yankee Glide) won 50,000SEK for a conditioned win driven by Orjan Kihlstrom. This one is a half-sister to stakes winner Intense America
Thomas H. Hicks