V86®/double jackpot: The turns in Åmål an advantage
Frode Hamre's American import Patent Leather is in good form and the trainer is happy with the conditions for the Wednesday V86® start in Åmål.
"My horse's gait will be perfect for the tight turns around the 1/2 mile track in Åmål".
V86 continues its summer tour and on Wednesday Åmål is the host.
Last week was easy so there was no payouts on seven or six winners picked, which means the money carried over to this week. Therefor Åmål can offer a double jackpot this week with SEK 17 million for a possible sole winner with all eight winners picked.
Frode Hamre is sending one horse across the border for the Wednesday races.
In Torsten Jansson Memorial - V86-3 - five year old Patent Leather will attract a lot of attention from the bettors. Carl Johan Jepson will drive for the first time and this is a sort of test, racing in Sweden.
Patent Leather made it to the Hambletonian final as a three year old for his previous trainer in the U.S, Jim Campbell - who also trained his sire Broadway Hall - and the horse has won six times since arriving in Norway.
He has raced in stake races in Sweden four times and has yet not won. His last trip to Sweden resulted in a fourth place finish behind Elitlopp contender Missle Hill in Prince Carl Philip's Jubileumspokal from post position eight behind the gate.
"I think my horse is in very good form right now. I trained him last weekend and he felt very good. He will race in an American sulky and barefoot upfront which is the optimal balance for him" says Frode Hamre on the phone.
"Medium plus"
Torsten Jansson Memorial goes over the middle distance. Frode Hamre is pleased with starting from post position five behind the gate.
'Very quick out of the gate' is usually the way Patent Leather is described.
"He's at least medium plus as a leaver" says Hamre.
The turns are tight and they come frequently in the races around the half mile track in Åmål.
"My horse has a very nice gait and the tight turns will fit him nicely. Middle or short distance doesn't matter, he handles all distances well" says the Norwegian champion trainer.
Carl Johan Jepson will probably try to get the lead and stay there. Patent Leather's last start was at Bjerke where he finished fifth in a race won by Jerry Riordan's Zarenne Fas.
"My horse raced great at Bjerke and trotted 1:10.5. We sat at the rear end of the field due to a bad post position and he felt strong throughout the race. Two starts ago he won on the front end in a cheaper race at Jarlsberg" says Frode Hamre.
We can't let you go without asking about the undefeated Ecurie D. who was very impressive when he won the Four Year Old Elite race at Solvalla in one of the fastest times in the world this year. Where and when will Ecurie D. race next time?
"He will go to Eskilstuna on July 14 (Eskilstuna's Four Year Old Test) and if all is well there he continue on to race in Hugo Åberg's Memorial at Jägersro (July 28). Everything is well with him, he trained great last time".