Filly takes Orsi Mangelli

Giulia Grif won the $242,000 Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli Wednesday night in Italy, trotting the 1,600-meter distance in a mile rate of 1:55.3. The 3-year-old filly set a new European record for her division in her elimination when she won in 1:54.4. Marco Smorgon drove the daughter of Viking Kronos as she once again beat her male competition.

In the final, Giulia Grif and first-elim winner Express Merett battled into the first turn. Giulia Grif was able to get the lead, but not after a brief moment of drama when she became rough-gaited and almost broke stride. She has had a tendency to break, but when she remains flat she is nearly unbeatable. From there Giulia Grif remained the best, drawing clear to win by 1 ½ lengths over Ganimec. Express Merett held for third.

Giulia Grif won the elim easily after taking command on the backstretch, cruising home in 1:54.4 for driver Smorgon. Ganimec (Uronometro) finished well to be second, with Make It A Dream (Striking Sahbra), making his first European start since being purchased by Italian interests, held for third after leading early. Germany’s Sir Karan was fourth.

The Finnish-bred Express Merett (Express It) won the first elimination in 1:57.1 over the 1,600 meters after cutting all the fractions for trainer-driver Pekka Korpi. Giuseppe Bi (Toss Out), Ghiaccio del Nord, Gauguin Ans (Lemon Dra) also advanced to the final.

The elims were a great success for Menhammar Stud (Margareta Wallenius) as both the sires Viking Kronos (American Winner) and Express It (Supergill-Flory Messenger) have been bought and now are standing at the Stockholm farm.

In the Mangelli filly division it was Galiera As (SJ’s Photo) who won in 1:55.4 over the 1,600 meters for driver Mauro Baroncini. Jiudy Spra (Park Avenue Joe) was second with Glamour Effe (Self Possessed) third. Galiera As came charging late for the win in a race set up for the come-from-behinds by a quick early tempo.

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