V75® (jackpot): ”Make it or break it”
He came with an impressive record and good credentials from the United States.
But over here he is made breaks in both starts.
Could third time be a charm for Beads on Saturday as he is chasing an elitlopp ticket in Prins Daniels lopp?
Elitloppet is getting closer and this weekend there is another chance to secure a spot among the 16 who will square off for eternal glory and fame at Solvalla on May 29. H.K.H Prins Daniel lopp over the Elitlopp distance 1,609 meters is the feature of the day on V75 at Gävletravet where the winner in addition to the first prize SEK 400,000 also gets a pink ticket. 1 Beads (V75-6) was the winner of the draw this time. Frode Hamre's U.S. import drew post one behind the gate, after having made breaks twice in a row from post position eight.
"Last time he completely lost his gait. He felt very good and sound but when he goes at high speed far out in the turn he simply gets in trouble. It's hard to say why. So it's very interesting now that he drew post one. I hope he can hold up the lead and then we will race him there and see how good he is" says Erik Adielsson in the podcast 'V75 - Lördag hela veckan'.
Perfect conditions
In the United States, Beads' most recent trainer was Per Engblom and the horse came to Norway this past winter with 11 wins in 37 starts and SEK 5.8 million in earnings. His most recent win was in the Hambletonian Maturity last July, which was the first time he won from behind. All his other wins were from the lead and since the turn comes quickly on this distance, the inside post is extra good if you want to hold up the lead.
"The conditions are great. I also like that Click Bait, who leaves extremely fast, got post two - right next to us. It's often easier to hold up the lead against a quicker horse if you are side by side, compared to if they leave fast from post four or five behind the gate. Who knows, we might sit third at the pylons after 100 meters, but it feels like Beads can leave fast" Adielsson says and adds:
"You have to remember that there's a big difference between leaving fast in the States and doing it over here. The horses here who are fast the first 100 meters are the fastest horses in the world, it's a completely different drive-up to the start here. So that's a challenge and it hasn't worked out perfectly for him in these first two starts. But the conditions couldn't be any better, at least".
The fact that he horse is supposed to race barefoot all around is something that Erik Adielsson doesn't see as a major factor.
"I actually think this horse could race in clogs. He has such a good gait. The hope is that barefoot will make him a bit better, but I don't think that's the whole answer".
Barefoot or not, Erik Adielsson is not going to Gävle to just take the horse around the track.
"To go to Gävle and play it safe and end up saying "oops we got locked in, going 1:10.1" is not interesting for anyone, the way we look at we will aim high and we will either make or break it".