V75® (Boxing Day): The Solvalla poster boy is in splendid Christmas form
The Larsson family is as much Solvalla and Stockholm as anyone could be.
Milliondollarrhyme is one of the track's biggest poster boys.
For Fredrik B Larsson it would be huge with a V75® win in the classic Boxing Day finals.
"’Million’ felt darn good in his last training session before Boxing Day!"
Solvalla is arranging the traditional V75 Boxing Day finals where the feature is the gold division final Gert Lindbergs lopp (V75-3) with SEK 300,000 to the winner.
One of many with a chance to win is the 9-year-old Milliondollarrhyme.
In his last start in the gold division, at Solvalla at the beginning of November, the three-time Elitlopp participant surprised everyone by crushing his opponents after a first over trip.
Fredrik B Larsson drove the gelding in his 100th career start which was a victorious one.
"Normally he hates racing first over. He hasn't won with that trip since he was a 3-year-old. So, I wasn't very happy when we ended up there. But what happened? He just grabbed on more and more the last lap and had one of those days where he just decided we're gonna get it done today" says the trainer with a laugh.
When we reach Fredrik B Larsson on Wednesday, he is on his way back from Solvalla after having trained some of his horses. The tracks at his farm Erikssund have not been good so far in December so training at Solvalla was necessary.
Milliondollarrhyme got a little faster heat six days before the Boxing Day finals to maintain his form.
"It was tougher than usual, but nice and slow with a faster finish just to get him a bit sharper. He felt darn good and he's still in good form" says Fredrik B Larsson.
"Not done with his career"
The gelding who has made SEK 8.6 million and finished fourth in Elitloppet twice turns ten next year. The 19 wins in 100 career starts and over half of his starts in the top three shows that 'Million' is a very consistent horse.
Many saw a horse that looked like he was fed up with racing during 2023.
Fredrik B Larsson:
"In training, it's hard to believe he's turning ten. He is a very happy guy and he still loves training. It doesn't feel like he would be done with his career in a long time. With the form he showed last time out after a first over trip and with no plans of quitting, I think he can end up fighting for the win again" he says.
"We are all AIK fans"
Fredrik's father Björn Larsson started racing his own horses early in the 1950s. As of many years, the sons have taken over the training duties at Erikssund.
Björn grew up in Tumba and was a successful hockey player in AIK. They are all true Stockholmers.
"We are all AIK fans. The horses and Solvalla are also things we all have in common. Dad helps both me and my brother Henrik train and he helps take care of the tracks too. He is 79 years old and he still likes doing it" says Fredrik.
The Boxing Day finals are a tradition if you have a Solvalla connection.
"One of the highlights of the year, I think. A traditional race day that me and my brother grew up with. We were there as little kids and I don't think I have missed a single Boxing Day race day in my adult life. Even if I haven't had any horses racing every year, I have still been there".
So how about a gold division win in this year's finals?
"I really look forward to Boxing Day! The opponents are pretty much the same as in his last start, minus Moni Viking. I think the race looks wide open on paper and he sure has a chance to win it".
You put Erik Adielsson down to drive this time, who knows he sits behind a horse in good form. How would you like the race to develop for him?
"I, of course, hope that he doesn't have to sit first over again. I would prefer a covered up trip so he can show off his speed. But if he would end up first over again, I can just hope that it turns out as well as in his last start".
The early weather forecast calls for 5-6 degrees Celsius below zero on Boxing Day.
"It was a rainy day when he won at Åby but the track was still firm. A sloppy track is not good for his gait. Cold weather and a firm track are what we hope for".