Etonnant wins 2022 Elitloppet Finale

Etonnant (8m Timoko-Migraine-Alligator), off at 10.3/1 odds, overcame a brief miscue and powered four-wide in the final bend to engage the leaders and he then surged on to the 1.09.3kr harness racing victory in the Elitloppet Finale at Solvalla Racecourse in Sweden Sunday, May 28. (purse to winner 5,000,000SEK, 1609 meters, eight starters).

Anthony Barrier teamed the winner for trainer/owner Richard Westerink who also developed his sire, the two time winner Elitloppet winner, Timoko. Etonnant now has 18 wins in 77 career starts for 19,009,097SEK earned.

He was fourth in his elimination from post 7 and had a tough journey there too. Hail Mary (6m Googoo Gaagaa-Dreams-Victory Dream) was second in the finale timed in 1.09.4 with Erik Adielsson up and third was earned by Mister F.Daag (7m Conway Hall-Miss Love-Love You) timed in 1.09.5kr with Robin Bakker up. He won his elim over Hail Mary.

Vivid Wise As was fourth after an uncovered three wide attempt at the lead. The favorite Don Fanucci Zet, an elim winner and last year’s champion, was off stride at the start and ended unplaced. Onas Prince and Night Brodde also were miscue dq’s.

ELITLOPPET 2022 FINAL REPLAY

In the first elim Don Fanucci Zet (6m Hard Livin-Kissed by the West) scored for Orjan Kihlstrom timed in 1.09.1kr at 4.1/1 odds. Click Bait (6m Cantab Hall) was second and Onas Prince (5m Chocolatoer) was third with Etonnant fourth and making the finale after a brutal trip.

DON FANUCCI ZET REPLAY

The second elim went to 43.3/1 odds Mister F.Daag for Robin Bakker and trainer Paul Hagoort timed in 1.09.1kr. He rallied to defeat Hail Mary and third finishing Vivid Wise As (8m Yankee Glide-Temple Blue Chip). Night Brodde (7m Up and Quick) was fourth and made the finale.

MR F.DAAG REPLAY

Each elim was also raced over 1609 meters autostart with the winners earning 250,000SEK.

ATG, Solvalla files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink