March 22, 2017 – Harness racing trainer Stefan Melander’s Nuncio (6m Andover Hall-Nicole Isabelle-Lindy Lane), off at 1.09/1 odds, recorded his second straight 2017 victory tonight at Solvalla for teamster Orjan Kihlstrom clocked in 1.12.2kr.
The race was the Kentucky Fibbers with 80,000SEK to the winner over the 1640 meter autostart course.
Nuncio led throughout during modest fractions (1.14kr at the first 500 meters; 1.13.7kr at the first 1000) and held off fast closing 9.67/1 Volstead (6m Cantab Hall-Madame Volo-Yankee Glide) by a short length, the latter reined by Erik Adielsson for trainer Melander.
Arden Homestead Stable bred Volstead and Russell Williams (new USTA President) bred Nuncio, now with a career slate of 39-12-2 in 53 starts for 27,803,230SEK earned.
Nuncio was a perfect 11 for 11 in 2016.
12.9/1 Coldtown (8g Cantab Hall-Brylin Starlet-Balanced Image) landed the third spot.
Nuncio tonight took the next step toward the 2017 Elitloppet.
Thomas H. Hicks