Elitloppet 2013

26 May 2013 - Trotting, Group 1, 1.609 meter (1 mile), Solvalla, Sweden

Preview from the 24th of May 2013

The picture of the Elitloppet 2013 has become clearer since the Oslo Grand Prix is run and the two heats were drawn last Sunday. We will see an exquisite international field at the so-called Sprint World Cup in Solvalla, even though the big players from France won’t be there.
As Olympiatravet winner Maharajah has been scratched due to a swollen leg, the top favorite for the Elitloppet will be Sebastian K after his recent impressive success in Oslo. The Finnish superstar Brad de Veluwe haven’t been very successful in 2013 yet, but should be in top form on Sunday and will also be among the hot candidates. Timoko beat almost the complete French trot elite in the Criterium de Vitesse (1609 m) and at the Prix de lAtlantique (2150 m) in April, subsequently was the first who got an invitation to the Elitloppet. Previous year's runners-up Arch Madness got invited too, but he recently was defeated by Wishing Stone in Meadowlands and didn’t start in Oslo due to an injury. Finnland Ajo-winner Nesta Effe beat Brad de Veluwe twice this year already, also came second in Oslo and can’t be underestimated anymore. After a long absence Formula One run the best European time of the year on the 1st of May, he will be the ‘dark horse’ in the field. In contrast title holder Commander Crowe seems pretty much out of form these day, became only last in Oslo two weeks ago.


2013 Group 1 races in Scandinavia ahead of the Elitloppet: