September 26, 2015 – Today at Capannelle Rome three eliminations were held preliminary to Italy’s Gr. I Trotting Derby Final. Each elimination was contested over 2100 meters autostart for a purse of €22,000 and each was won in relatively dominant fashion.
Tobin Kronos (3m Muscle Hill-Zamia FC-Sugarcane Hanover) took the first elim clocked in 1.14kr by a comfortable length and a half for driver Orjan Kihlstrom. First dam of the winner, Zamia FC is from Twiggy FC by Speedy Somolli-Dance Slipper. The Jerry Riordan trained Tango Negro (3m Infinitif-Lisetta Real-Lemon Dra) was second for driver Roberto Andreghetti ahead of Tobias del Ronco (3m Love You-Leonor del Ronco-Supergill) and Antonio Di Nardo.
The second elim was a 1.13.4kr length victory for the Robin Bakker teamed Tuonoblu Rex (3m Cantab Hall-Eternity Rex-Lindy Lane-CR Kay Suzie) that led throughout. Tesoro Degli Dei (3m Igor Font-Isabella Dei-Pine Chip) sat the pocket and finished a strong second for Pietro Gubellini ahead of third finishing Terra del Rio (3f Varenne-Urbem d’Asolo-Ata Star L) and teamster Santo Mollo that closed very rapidly but still ended seven lengths off the winner.
Timone EK (3m Mr. Vic-Gemona-Lemon Dra) secured victory in the third elim clocked in 1.14.6kr. Federico Esposito piloted Timone EK to a length score over Tony Gio (3m Varenne-Ilaria Jet-Pine Chip-Toby’s Taxi) and reinsman Roberto Vecchione with third to Theodor Grif (3m Varenne-Eva di Jesolo-Lindy Lane) and teamster Marco Smorgon.
This group of three year-olds should comprise a competitive Derby Final.
Thomas H. Hicks