Ake Svanstedt trains and drives Nordic Catcher S to a record-setting Hambletonian victory

Boston Globe

4 days ago

Leaving from post six and at odds of 9-2, Nordic Catcher S was near the front leaving the gate, tucked in third heading into the first turn. He remained in third as the opening quarter was covered in 26.1 seconds by longshot Go Dog Go, who blasted to the front from post 10.
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Approaching the half, favored Maryland started the outer flow, which forced Svanstedt's hand. He made a move, but Go Dog Go remained on the lead at the half in 54.2 seconds.
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Heading into the final turn, Nordic Catcher S methodically advanced to put pressure on the leader. When they hit the stretch, Nordic Catcher S kicked into high gear and took command at the eighth pole. Pocket-sitter Super Chapter, the 3-1 second choice, found daylight, but Nordic Catcher S was too strong and Super Chapter's late bid came up short.
Nordic Catcher S finished a length in front of Super Chapter. It was another 2 ¾ lengths back to Maryland, who could not capitalize on a perfect trip. The winner paid $11.20.
Ake Svanstedt (white helmet) is both the trainer and driver of Nordic Catcher S.
Dan Heary
Nordic Catcher S has now won five of 10 career starts, and has three wins in five starts this year. The $500,000 winner's share boosts the colt's earnings to more than $813,000.
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It was Svanstedt's third Hambletonian win. The 2023 Dan Patch Trainer of the Year won his first one in 2017 driving Captain Corey. He took his second Hambo victory in 2021 driving Perfect Spirit. In both cases he was also the trainer.
Svanstedt co-owns the horse with Jeff Gural, president, and CEO of The Meadowlands. The 83-year-old Gural, who also owns the track, was thrilled to win the biggest race in the sport for the first time.
'Truthfully, I've been waiting to give this trophy to myself, and there's nobody I'd rather be partners with than Ake and Sarah (Svanstedt, Ake's wife),' Gural said, 'They've done an amazing job. Last year we won the Oaks, and last week I was down and really depressed. This week every horse I've owned with them has raced great. So, it's a crazy business to be honest, but I give Ake and Sarah all the credit. [And] the track man for watering the track the way Sarah likes it.'
Gural spoke glowingly of the relationship he has with Ake Svanstedt.
'He's cautious, and he's looking for these big races,' Gural said, 'It's a real thrill truthfully.'
In the Grade 1 $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old trotting fillies, Conversano and driver James McDonald scored the victory in 1:51.2. Conversano set out for the early lead, then took cover behind longshot Walspea. She sat in the pocket until the stretch, where she rallied for McDonald's first Oaks win.
Emily Cain is a rising junior at Ohio University studying Journalism Strategic Communication and Sport Management. She wrote this story for the Boston Globe as part of the Clyde Hirt Journalism Workshop.
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