Bax returned in 2003 with Northern Bailey, another Balanced Image son who unfortunately didn't finish in the Elitlopp, though he was sixth in the Oslo Grand Prix prior to the big event.

This year, he'll be traveling to the Solvalla Racecourse with 5-year-old gelding Define The World, a grandson of Balanced Image (by Duke Of York out of the American Winner mare Venice Holiday) owned and bred by Pickering, Ontario's Al Libfeld, who also bred and raced his sire. Define The World, who has $1,010,350 in his bankroll, a speed badge of 1:52, and a 2008 O'Brien Award in his trophy case as Canada's top 3-year-old trotter, is the lone Canadian representative at the Elitlopp for 2010.

"I don't expect I'll ever get tired of doing this trip," says Bax. "It's a real eye-opener. There are some really talented horses over there, and the racing is much more stop-and-start, more strategic.

"There are two reasons I'm going. A, it's a great honor to represent your country, and B, I think the horse can be competitive. He's a little different than the other two I've taken in that he's quick. He's sharp off the gate and he has a real burst of speed which might be useful with this style of racing. There's not much that's out of the ordinary that you can do to prepare him for it, training-wise. I'll just have to see how he adapts."

Assuming that volcanic ash-clouds do not delay his May 8 departure from Toronto's Pearson airport, Define The World will be using the Oslo Grand Prix, May 16, as a warm-up, and heading to Stockholm two weeks later. Accompanying him will be linesman Paul MacDonell (who enjoyed world attention in 2007 and 2008 as the pilot of Somebeachsomewhere), who will be making the trip to the Elitlopp for the first time.

"I actually have a conflict for the Norway race," says Bax, 55. "My eldest son's graduation from Acadia University is the same day, so I will leave the horse in (assistant trainer) Steve Sill's capable hands and I'm sure between he and Paul, they'll get the horse raced."

Bax and his wife expect to make it to Stockholm after the graduation and use the week as a mini-vacation.

"If you go over there thinking you'll have a good experience, you probably will," he says. "It's never about the money (the Elitlopp purse is approximately $600,000). I hope it's a great experience for Al, too. The horse is king over there; they are the heroes and the public knows it, which is really refreshing."

Should Define The World conquer Sweden, he will join 1992 victor Billyjojimbob (also a Balanced Image offspring) and become only the second Canadian horse to win the Elitlopp.

Karen Briggs, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Courtesy of the US Trotting Association Web Newsroom