May 31, 2015 – In what was a stirring battle among three harness racing champions, Magic Tonight (6m Andover Hall-Miss Possessed-Self Possessed) defended post one and earned a gate to line victory clocked in 1.10.10kr for teamster Orjan Kihlstrom, trainer Roger Walmann and owner AB Svensk Reklanfinans.
The winner earned 3,000,000SEK for winning the Gr. I International Grand Slam – UET Masters Series over 1609 meters autostart.
It was a magical race and a magical strategic effort by Kihlstrom as he parked both Mosaique Face (6m Classic Photo-Iona LB-Supergill) that was left two wide throughout for Lutfi Kolgjini and three wide Nuncio (4m Andover Hall-Nicole Isabelle-Lindy Lane) with owner/trainer Stefan Melander up.
Melander tried for the lead in front of the stands the first time but could not clear.
Kihlstrom masterfully rated the pace leaving his two adversaries alongside and the other elimination winner Royal Fighter blocked in the pocket and this Jennifer Tillman handled battler ended fourth.
Maven, following Nuncio, made a bold wide move around the last bend to surpass the three leaders but she weakened some in mid-stretch.
Timoko was taken off the gate early and could not advance enough to contend.
Magic Tonight prevailed by a neck on the line with Nunco beaten three-quarters of a length with the field all within three lengths. Mosaique Face was timed in 1.10.16kr, Nuncio timed the same and Royal Fighter at 1.10.29kr in a fantastic, “magical” horse race.
Magic Tonight Wires Elitloppet Second Elimination
Orjan Kihlstrom put trainer Roger Walmann’s winner Magic Tonight (6m Andover Hall-Miss Possessed-Self Possessed) on the front from the outset and he scored in 1.09.7kr by three-quarters of a length over the game Maven (6f Glidemaster-M Stewart-American Winner) and pilot Johnny Takter. B.B.S. Sugarlight (6g Super Light-Sugarsweet Sid-Sugarcane Hanover) was third for Peter Untersteiner with first over Timoko (8m Imoko-Kiss Me Coulonces-And Arifant) fourth for Bjorn Goop. The winner now has three wins in five 2015 starts and 19 wins in 54 career efforts for owner AB Svensk Reklamfinans. His breeders were Libfeld and Katz of Canada, and he paid €8.76 to win. This second elimination offered 250,000SEK to the winner of the 1609 meters autostart test.
The Elitloppet 2015 Final lineup in post order is:
Magic Tonight, Kihlstrom
Royal Fighter, Tillman
Maven, Johnny Takter
Nuncio, Melander
B.B.S. Sugarlight, Peter Untersteiner
Mosaique Face, Lutfi Kolgjini
Timoko, Bjorn Goop
Vincennes, Raffin
Royal Fighter Wins Elitloppet First Elimination
The Per Eriksson trained, Jennifer Tillman teamed Royal Fighter (7m Varenne-Froken Julie-Supergill) gamely took the first elimination (1609 meters autostart, Gr. I, purse to winner 250,000SEK) of the 2015 Elitloppet clocked in 1.10.4kr, overcoming a death seat trip outside of pacesetter Mosaique Face (6m Classic Photo-Iona LB-Supergill) with Lutfi Kolgjini up (finished third). The winner prevailed by three quarters of a length. Second over Nuncio (4m Andover Hall-Nicole Isabelle-Lindy Lane) rallied to be second for owner Stefan Melander. Vincennes was fourth for Orjan Kihlstrom. Wind Of The North was third over for Dave Palone and could not gain. Univers de Pan was locked on the pegs but when loose in the lane had little to offer. The winner paid €12.92 to win. Support Justice and Ustinof du Vivier mad miscues.
The winner scored his 13th career victory in 57 starts and has a slate of 2-0-3 in five 2015 starts. The owner/breeders are Per Rodert and Christina Nilsson.
Thomas H. Hicks