May 14, 2017 – Superb trotting action this afternoon at Modena Ghirlandina produced “speed” led by 1.10kr victory of Superbo Capar (6m Calypso Capar-Dark Degli Ulivi-Indro Park) in the Pr. Renjo Orlandi (purse €33,000, 1600 meters autostart). Giusseppe Lombardo Jr. teamed the Holger Ehlert trainee and the winner crushed the 1.11.1kr record of Zorro Photo in 2017. Two lengths back was Pancottina Bar (8f Varenne-Valuta Lavec-Sugarcane Hanover) for Enrico Bellei with third to Sharon Gar (6f Varenne-Geneve Gar-Lemon Dra). A big audience was on-hand for today’s great harness racing, filling the stands and circling the 1000 meter oval.
The Pr. Carlo Cacciari Filly (purse €66,000, 1600 meters autostart), went to 1.12.4kr timed Valchiria OP (3f Ideale Luis-Maya del Ronco-Toss Out) reined on the front end by Alessandro Gocciadoro. Villa Santina Jet (3f Igor Font-Lunigiana Jet-Supgergill) closed gamely for second, ahead of Vanity Spritz (3f Igor Font-Nebraska Jet-Supergill). The time eclipsed the 1.12.6kr record of Unicka.
The big one was the Pr. T. Giovanardi-Tr. G. Ghittoni (purse €187,000, 2080 meters autostart, three year old open) and the 1.12.4kr winner was Vivid Wise As (3m Yankee Glide-Temple Blue Chip-Cantab Hall) reined by Enrico Bellei for trainer Marco Smorgon and Scuderia Bivans. Allevamento Bella Serenissima bred this winner, as well as third place colt in this event. The previous best time in this one was 1.12.9kr in 2016 by Unno del Duomo. Second in the far distance today, some seven lengths back, was Varieta’ Luis (3m Ideale Luis-Griffin Baby-Sugarcane Hanover) driven by Gocciadoro. Third was Vessillo As (3m Mondiale OK-Yankee Dapple-Donerail). Vivid Wise As, shown accelerating on the back side, now has nine wins in 11 career endeavors.
Thomas H. Hicks