Quote from NiekH on May 31, 2026, 4:33 AM

It is time! It is Elitloppet Sunday.
Let me break down the races for y'all.

Race 1:

We start the day at 1pm local time (7am Ohio time) with the speed race. An interesting concept I believe borrowed from Dutch shorttrack racing. As you can see in the program the first race are 3 heats of 3 horses, over 640m just over 3/8 of a mile. The 3 winners will move up into a final dash. The winner will take home 100 000 sek or around $10,000. 

Race 2:

The Montéeliten, the Elitloppet under the saddle. This Group 2 race over 1640m will see 10 horses behind the gate for a first price of 300 000 sek or $30,000.

Race 3:

The Amateur Elite! We see a familiar name here, Northfield Park's own Joey Kramp is driving #5 after a driver change! His horse is 3rd favourite so he might have a shot here over the mile.

Race 4: 

A condition race for 3yo and older trotter who earned 500.001 sek but no more than 1.200.000 sek. A type of condition race you see often in Europe where you fit a lifetime earning bracket. (A N/W of X Last 4 you never see here).

Race 5:

Another unique race for the North American viewers, this is the Elitekampen. This is the Elitloppet for coldblood horses. These horses are what you imagine a Scandinavian viking horse to be. These tanks of a horse tend to be around 15 hands tall but look a whole lot hardier than a trotter. The speeds are also much lower, but interesting to watch.

Race 6: 

Elitloppet Heat 1 we discussed before

Race 7:

Elitloppet Heat 2, we also discussed before.

Race 8:

The 3yo filly Elite, the final of the Breeders Course. A European wide program of stake races. This is the filly final, a Group 1 race with a winning purse of 1.000.000 sek or around $100,000. 

Race 9:

The 3yo colts & geldings Elite, like the fillies it is the final of the Breeders Course. The colts and geldings also fight over a first prize of 1.000.000 sek. And the title of a Group 1 stake race.

Race 10:

Now we get the 4yo mare elite race, Im sure we are starting to see a trend in races here. Not a Breeders Course race since that is only for 2 and 3 yo's. Now just for 4yo European mares. The winner of this Group 2 race takes home 500.000 sek or $50,000.

Race 11:

The big race, the moment this entire weekend is for. The Elitloppet final!
5.000.000 sek for the winner, around $500,000, and eternal glory!

Race 12:

The day is not over, we now give the reins to the apprentice drivers. Everyone gets their shot to shine on this beautiful day (Even the children, there is a Ponyelitloppet). In essence just a condition race, but only with apprentice drivers.

Race 13: 

One of my personal favourite races. The 4yo elite race for colts and geldings. This Group 2 race, like the mares, pays the winner 500.000 sek. But here we usually see some American 3yo's from last season appear. This year is no exception with Mountcastle and Fashion Green. My personal tip, don’t underestimate the 4 Gaudio. 

Race 14:

We end the day with another condition race. This time for 4yo mares that earned between 100.001 sek and 400.000 sek.