Latest news with #Svanstedt
Boston Globe
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Ake Svanstedt trains and drives Nordic Catcher S to a record-setting Hambletonian victory
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. Advertisement 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. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement
03-08-2025
- Sport
Nordic Catcher S wins 100th Hambletonian in record time
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Nordic Catcher S won the 100th Hambletonian in a stakes-record 1:50 on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack, giving driver and trainer Ake Svanstedt his third victory in harness racing's signature event. The trotter beat previously undefeated Super Chapter by a length, with Maryland, the 3-2 favorite, third in the $1 million race. Nordic Catcher S broke the stakes record of 1:50.1 set by colt Muscle Hill in 2009 and matched by filly Ramona Hill in 2020. 'I'm impressed with him,' said Svanstedt, a Hall of Famer in his native Sweden who has been based in the U.S. since 2014. 'He's tough and fast. It's a great win, for it to be historical, in the 100th Hambletonian. He's raced better and better each race, and his form was absolutely on top today. Everything was perfect.' Svanstedt co-owns Nordic Catcher S with Jeff Gural's Little E LLC. Svanstedt also won the Hambletonian previously with Perfect Spirit in 2017 and Captain Corey in 2021. He trained and drove both those horses as well. Go Dog Go was the early leader from post 10 and battled with Nordic Catcher through three-quarters in 1:22.4. Nordic Catcher took the lead and began to pull away in the final eighth of a mile, then held off Super Chapter with a final acceleration. Nordic Catcher S is a five-time winner with $813,285 in winnings. Nordic Catcher S paid $11.20 to win as the 9-2 third choice.
Winnipeg Free Press
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Nordic Catcher S wins 100th Hambletonian in record time
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Nordic Catcher S won the 100th Hambletonian in a stakes-record 1:50 on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack, giving driver and trainer Ake Svanstedt his third victory in harness racing's signature event. The trotter beat previously undefeated Super Chapter by a length, with Maryland, the 3-2 favorite, third in the $1 million race. Nordic Catcher S broke the stakes record of 1:50.1 set by colt Muscle Hill in 2009 and matched by filly Ramona Hill in 2020. 'I'm impressed with him,' said Svanstedt, a Hall of Famer in his native Sweden who has been based in the U.S. since 2014. 'He's tough and fast. It's a great win, for it to be historical, in the 100th Hambletonian. He's raced better and better each race, and his form was absolutely on top today. Everything was perfect.' Svanstedt co-owns Nordic Catcher S with Jeff Gural's Little E LLC. Svanstedt also won the Hambletonian previously with Perfect Spirit in 2017 and Captain Corey in 2021. He trained and drove both those horses as well. Go Dog Go was the early leader from post 10 and battled with Nordic Catcher through three-quarters in 1:22.4. Nordic Catcher took the lead and began to pull away in the final eighth of a mile, then held off Super Chapter with a final acceleration. Nordic Catcher S is a five-time winner with $813,285 in winnings. Nordic Catcher S paid $11.20 to win as the 9-2 third choice. ___
