Tough trip dooms Lucky Jim in Elitlopp elim

Lucky Jim's first bit of bad luck came when he drew post seven in his Elitlopp elimination. Then came the trip. Driver Andy Miller chose to float away from the gate with Lucky Jim and was caught on the outside at the back of the field. In front of the homestretch he made a bold three-wide move that turned out to be impossible. By the five-eighths point of the mile, Lucky Jim was all done and by the top of the homestretch he had faded to the back of the field.

 

Ilaria Jet, a 6-year-old mare by Pine Chip out of a Baltic Speed mare, came from behind to sweep to a victory on the outside. She hit the wire first in 1:54.2 for the mile, with Triton Sund, who started from post eight, also turning in a big rally to take second for driver Orjan Kihlstrom. Nu Pagadi held on for second after raced first-over the entire mile while Copper Beech set the fractions. Nu Pagadi was driven by Erik Adielsson, who strategically kept Andy Miller from passing with Lucky Jim.

 

Ilaria Jet was a 2-year-old champion in Italy and had a bad 3-year-old season before rebounding for French trainer Fabrice Souloy. Jean Michel Bazire, who drove Moni Maker to her victory in the Prix d'Amerique, was in the sulky behind Ilaria Jet, who is known for her excitable demeanor. In the post parade she shied from the loud crowd, but once she was behind the gate there were no issues.

 

Lucky Jim's post position draw may have foreshadowed his day, and going to the gate he also had another taste of what was ahead as Nimrod Borealis--in post six--was offstride and almost interferred with him.

 

The top four finishers advanced to the final heat. So joining Ilaria Jet, Triton Sund and Nu Pagadi will be Quarcio du Chene, who was driven by Bjorn Goop.