V86® (double jackpot): Kim starts at both tracks
The V86® this Wednesday is split between Solvalla and Åby.
Trainer Kim Pedersen sends a horse to each track.
"Both Hell Patrol and Born In Bergen are ready for a great effort".
Danish native Kim Pedersen is one of Norway's most successful trainers. He was born in Denmark and found interested in the trot races early, and he followed along when Bo Westergaard moved to Norway. When Westergaard moved back to Denmark, Kim chose to stay and started his own stable seven years ago. The success was not long in coming. He has won the short E3 final with Hennessy Am, the Norwegian Kriterium with High Flyer, and last year, he won the Norwegian Trotting Derby with Born In Bergen.
"I have never regretted staying in Norway, we love it here. We have around 30 horses in training, and the quality is pretty high, even if I like it to be even higher. We aim high, and we dream big," says Kim Pedersen.
On Wednesday, the V86® card is split between Solvalla and Åby, and big money is in play. Last Wednesday, the payout on V86 was only SEK 127, which means that a sole winner can take home SEK 20 million this Wednesday.
Talented enough to reach the elite level
Kim Pedersen has a starter both at Solvalla and Åby, which is not very common.
"No, luckily not, considering the logistics and all that comes with it, but at the same time you want to race where the horses have their best races".
Last year, 9 Born In Bergen (V86-5) won the Norwegian Trotting Derby, and he has made two starts so far this year.
"He has been very good in both starts, last time out he was locked in and climbing over horses. He feels great in training after that. He is five years old, and it's always hard to know which way to go. We will race him in regular overnights and give him nice trips. He is talented enough to reach the elite level, at least in Norway, but you never know, he might be better than that".
How do you like his chances this time?
"I think he will race very well, but starting from the second tier in a short-distance race, leaves you left out to what the opponents do. If there's no tempo, his chances are small and Lozano di Quattro will be tough to beat no matter what, especially when he drew better than us".
Looks interesting
Pedersen likes his chances better with 6 Hell Patrol (V86-6) who looked good in his seasonal debut.
"I was very pleased with him. He was locked in, climbing over horses and I have never been happier finishing fifth before".
He was away for a long time before his last start, why?
"He raced in Oslo Grand Prix and injured a suspensory there. He was given all the time he needed and then some, and he was supposed to have raced a while ago, but the track was bad that day so we scratched him. The owner and I decided to wait until the tracks got better".
How does he feel after that start?
"He feels great and will be improved with that start in his legs".
How quick is he out of the gate?
"He is just average. I think he will get a good trip".
Is he ready to win with just one start in his legs?
"If he gets a good trip, I think he can win. We are not making the trip to Solvalla without believing in him, it looks interesting on paper, no doubt".