Varenne's 1:51.2 European record for older horses, set back in 2002, is always in jeopardy when it is time for the Saint Michel race at the magical Mikkeli track in Finland. The Mikkeli has the reputation of being Europe's fastest track. This year's St. Michel race will be held on Sunday, July 19.
The field for this year's event has been drawn. Here is the starting list for the 1,609 meter race (about one mile) which is started with a mobile gate: