American History - Open Pace
Owners
Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, American History Racing
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 – Joe Bongiorno took a route up the rail late to win the $655,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace Final on Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The time for the win was 1:48.3.
This Is The Plan stormed to the top from post 10 off the gate, passing American Hisoty, who also showed some early foot, and taking the top. Dorsoduro Hanover took a spot on the rail third in front of McWicked.
American History, bred by Brittany Farms, sat patiently through a swift quarter in :25.4 before taking the lead from This Is The Plan, with Dorsoduro Hanover poised to attack.
Taking to the outside, Dorsoduro Hanover brushed to aim for an all-out charge as he had done in the elim. The half was sizzling in :53.4 as McWicked staged a challenging route near Jimmy Freight, passing him for a chase at Dorsoduro Hanover at three-quarters in 1:21.3.
Into the stretch, Dorsoduro Hanover began to struggle as Always A Prince was using saved ground to get to McWicked, but on the inside, Bongiorno had a winning path before him and his charge as he passed Dorsoduro Hanover and won in 1:48.3.
Trainer | Driver
Tony Alagna | Joe Bongiorno
Always A Prince passed McWicked for third.
“No words can describe how I feel winning,” said Bongiorno. “I’m grateful for all the help from Tony [trainer Tony Alagna].”
Alagna said he was confident about American History. “He’s matured and now he is able to go with these guys.”
Co-owner Marvin Katz was joyful for the win and said hello to his partner George Segal, who was watching from out of town.
Myron Bell of Brittany Farms said they liked American History as a yearling so much they, “bought him for a hundred-fifty thousand with one bid.”
American History (American Ideal—Perfect Touch) paid $12.10 to win.
Purse $500,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 26, 2019
Extras
Amigo Volo - 2CT
Owners
Pinske Stables, David Milller
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 25, 2019 – Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn) was never challenged in a wire-to-wire mile of 1:54.3, taking the the $600,000 (USD) Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot Final on Friday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A quartet of trotting colts left alertly but Amigo Volo soared to the top around the first turn and led commandingly by 2 lengths to cut the first quarter in :26.4. Leading the rest of the field from second was Third Shift, with Capricornus third.
The huge favorite, Real Cool Sam, was rolling in seventh through a record-breaking half of :55.3 by Amigo Volo. Third Shift struggled following as Amigo Volo raided three-quarters in 1:24, drawing away into the stretch.
As Amigo Hall put 5 lengths in front of the field, Real Cool Sam’s attempt to make up ground was defied by sharp-closing longshot Rome Pays Off, who nipped Chestnut Hill for second.
Trainer | Driver
Richard Norman | Dexter Dunn
Amigo Volo (Father Patrick—Margarita Momma) crossed the wire 4 lengths the best in 1:54.3 for trainer Richard Norman. It was Dexter Dunn’s first Breeders Crown-winning drive.
Bred by Kentuckiana Farms, the $42,000 yearling is owned by Pinske Stables and David Miller.
Amigo Volo paid $7.10 to win.
Purse $600,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 25, 2019
Extras
Bold Eagle - Open Trot
Owners
Ecurie Pilarski
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 - France’s Bold Eagle made the trip to Canada for the $500,000 (US) Breeders Crown Open Trot a winning one as driver Brian Sears guided the 8-year-old son of Ready Cash to a command performance victory in 1:52 over an off surface at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night.
Bold Eagle got away fourth as Lindy The Great jetted to the front in the early stages cutting a :26 2/5 opening quarter while rivals Atlanta and Guardian Angel As settled in behind.
Sears wasted little time in going on the offensive with Bold Eagle and turning into the backstretch sent the $5.3 million winning International star on a mission to gain command which he did through a :55 2/5 first half clocking.
Six Pack and Ake Svanstedt had left the gate hard from post 10 and waited in the early stages for Bold Eagle to get on the move and then once that happened he was left without cover. Six Pack continued to march forward through three quarters in 1:24 and turning into the stretch was a serious threat. Also looking for a shot was Atlanta and Yannick Gingras as that pair angled out with a shot to track down Bold Eagle.
Brian Sears looked confident and comfortable heading into the stretch but he kept asking Bold Eagle to trot and trot he did right through the wire coming a final quarter in :28 flat and scoring in a respectable 1:52 clocking in his first North American appearance. Six Pack was valiant in second with Atlanta up for third. Lindy The Great and Marion Marauder rounded out the top five.
Sebastien Guarato trains Bold Eagle who won for the third time this year in just 10 starts. Ecurie P Pilarski owns Bold Eagle who returned $5.70 was the post time favorite. Jean Etienne Dubois bred Bold Eagle.
Trainer | Driver
Sebastien Guarato | Brian Sears
“He was a little tough scoring down. Everything went pretty smooth after that,” Sears said. “He dug in down by the wire.”
“We’re very satisfied,” said Pierre Pilarski the winning owner. “It was a long trip to come here. I promised John Campbell two years ago and it worked out this year".
Purse $500,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 26, 2019
Extras
Caviart Ally - Mare Pace
Owners
Caviart Farms
Trainer | Driver
Brett Pellling | Andrew McCarthy
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 - Caviart Farms' Caviart Ally ($7.00) sustained a first-over push out of midfield to duel down divisional standout Shartin N en route to a going-away 1:49.3 score in the $300,000 (U.S.) Breeders Crown Mare Pace on Saturday night (Oct. 26) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Caviart Ally stalked patiently in fourth while Kissin In The Sand (Yannick Gingras) and Shartin N (Tim Tetrick) dueled through a :25.4 first quarter. Odds-on favorite Shartin N vacated the pocket and brushed to the lead on the first turn before pulling the half back to :55.4.
Andy McCarthy angled Caviart Ally out from fourth on approach to the final turn, and the 5-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight motored alongside Shartin N nearing three-quarters in 1:22.3. Caviart Ally stuck a head in front past Shartin N with an eighth of a mile to go, and accelerated away to a clear 1:49.3 score. Shartin N was all-out to narrowly hold second over Kissin In The Sand.
Brett Pelling trains 24-time winner Caviart Ally, who also defeated Shartin N in the Allerage at The Red Mile on Oct. 6. The Breeders Crown victory lifts Caviart Ally's career earnings to over $1.7 million.
Purse $300,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 26, 2019
Extras
Dancin Lou - 3CP
Owners
David Kryway, 1362313 Ontario
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 – Dancin Lou displayed tremendous determination to track down and nail Bettors Wish at the finish line to win the $786,000 (CAD) Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace on Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver Andrew McCarthy angled out uncovered from fourth with Dancin Lou entering the far turn, while Bettors Wish rolled the field to three-quarters in 1:23. The stretch drive saw Bettors Wish ahead and with victory in sight, but Dancin Lou and McCarthy came with a final push to make up a couple lengths late and steal the victory by a head in 1:50.2.
Captain Crunch finished third, while De Los Cielos Deo was fourth.
“I thought I did (win), I had the momentum on the outside and I was hoping I did,” said McCarthy. “I had a little trouble in the last turn getting his momentum going, but once I got him rolling there what a tough horse, he digs and digs.”
The victory gave driver McCarthy his fourth Crown trophy of the weekend.
“I was quite confident coming into this weekend,” said McCarthy. “I didn’t expect four, but I was definitely hoping for a couple.”
A son of Sweet Lou, Dancin Lou is trained by Tahnee Camilleri for owners David Kryway and 1362313 Ontario Limited.
Trainer | Driver
Tahnee Camilleri | Andrew McCarthy
Camilleri was making her Crown debut and was overcome with emotion in the winner’s circle.
“I just won the Breeders Crown,” said Camilleri, “To come here on one of the biggest nights of the year and to be a competitor was such an honour and then to win the race, I’m the luckiest girl in the world.”
Dancin Lou has now won 11 of 18 this season, earning $677,756. The sophomore paid $12.80 to win.
Purse $500,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 26, 2019
Extras
Gimpanzee - 3CT
Owners
Courant Inc, SRF Stable
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 - Trainer Marcus Melander brought three high profile colts into the $500,000 (US) Breeders Crown for sophomores on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park and Gimpanzee emerged as the best of the lot capturing his second consecutive Crown title at the expense of heavy favorite Greenshoe who suffered from a difficult overland journey in a 1:52 3/5 mile.
The race contested during a driving rain and high winds saw plenty of early action with Gimpanzee one of a host of outsiders leaving the gate. He was joined by Hambletonian winner Forbidden Trade as well as Soul Strong and Super Schissel. Forbidden Trade would need a pair of moves to secure the lead following the :26 4/5 opening quarter and he continued in control into the wind through the :56 2/5 half.
Trainer | Driver
Marcus Melander | David Miller
Gimpanzee and driver David Miller came to challenge with authority on the turn and looked to tow elimination winner Don’t Let Em and Greenshoe into contention. Don’t Let Em struggled to keep up with Gimpanzee eventually made a break compromising Greenshoe’s chances considerably in the process. Gimpanzee drove powerfully past the leader after a 1:25 3/5 three quarters clocking and the son of Chapter Seven took off to a convincing score. Greenshoe once into the stretch made up a huge chunk of ground to gain the place spot with early leader Soul Strong coming on late for third. Chin Chin Hall and Goes Down Smooth earned the final two checks.
Gimpanzee undefeated last year as a freshman has now won seven times in 12 starts this year winning the Yonkers Trot and finishing third in the other two Triple Crown legs.
Bred by Order By Stable Gimpanzee is co-owned by Courant Inc and S R F Stable. Sent off as a 5-1 offering Gimpanzee returned $13.10 for the victory.
“I was planning on leaving,” said Miller. “I gave him a rough trip but he’s so tough.”
Melander suggested the horse could go under any conditions. “I don’t think it would matter if it was a snowstorm and minus 20,” said Melander. “He wouldn’t have a problem with it.”
Purse $500,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 26, 2019
Extras
Manchego - Mare Trot
Owners
Black Horse Racing
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 - Manchego and driver Dexter Dunn put on a show in capturing the $325,000 (US) Breeders Crown for Open Mares on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in a scintillating 1:51 mile. The 4-year-old mare by Muscle Hill won for the fifth straight time in the process as the 1-2 betting choice.
Plunge Blue Chip and Ice Attraction left inside Manchego and the early skirmish saw Plunge Blue Chip take control with two-time Breeders Crown champion Emoticon Hanover settling in second after leaving from the outside post. Dunn positioned Manchego in third and after a :26 1/5 quarter cut out by Plunge Blue Chip he sent her to the front.
Manchego had control and looked a picture setting the tempo with fractions of :55 3/5 and 1:23 4/5 and upon turning for home the Nancy Johansson-trained mare hit high gear and left Plunge Blue Chip gasping for air. The rest chased in futility as Dunn checked the rear-view mirror and let her mare kick home in an impressive :27 1/5 final quarter. Emoticon Hanover would rally late for the place spot ahead of Plunge Blue Chip. Weslynn Dancer and Hannelore Hanover hit the wire together in a dead-heat for fourth.
Trainer | Driver
Nancy Johansson | Dexter Dunn
It was Manchego’s seventh win in 15 starts this year for owner Black Horse Racing and the victory boost her career bankroll above the $2 million mark. Bred by Brittany Farms Manchego returned $3.10 as the public choice.
“She’s just exploded the last half of the season,” said Dunn following the victory. “She felt great once again tonight.”
It was the second Breeders Crown victory for Manchego who captured the juvenile filly trot in 2017 at Hoosier Park.
Purse $300,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 26, 2019
Extras
Ramona Hill - 2FT
Owners
Bradley Grant, Crawford Farms, Robert leblanc, In the GYM Partners
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 25 – Leaving from the farther-most post 10, Andrew McCarthy made two big moves with Ramona Hill to easily win the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday (October 25) over favorite Hypnotic AM by 2 ½ lengths in 153.2.
McCarthy wasted no time as the field left the gate, firing Ramona Hill to the top confidently with Sister Sledge directly behind her, followed by Ms Savannah Belle and Hypnotic AM, cutting the first quarter in :27.
Keeping the field chasing, Ramona Hill, at 14-1, drew away a few lengths, getting to the half in :56 when Brian Sears charged first over with Hypnotic AM to get the lead. May Baby inherited the first-over spot while Tim Tetrick kept Ms Savannah Belle third on the inside.
Hypnotic AM cut the three-quarters mark in a fiery 1:23.4 but it did not take long for McCarthy to pull from second and easily take over Hypnotic AM’s lead. Ramona Hill shot away from the field to win in 1:53.2. Sister Sledge (Yannick Gingras) closed on Hypnotic AM to take second. Madame Sherry (Matt Kakaley) finished in fourth at 99-1.
Tony Alagna trains Ramona Hill for owners Bradley Grant and Robert Leblanc and as bred by Crawford Farms.
Trainer | Driver
Tony Alagna | Andrew McCarthy
“She’s so talented and she was so slick tonight,” said McCarthy. “Leaving from the 10 hole I said I’m going to step her out to the front and I was not surprised she could leave so quickly.”
Co-owner Robert Leblanc, in the Breeders Crown winners circle for the first time, said, “When we got the 10 hole we were still positive, we thought she could still get it. We think she is just goint to get better.”
Romana Hill (Muscle Hill—Lock Down Lindy) paid $31.80 to win.
Purse $600,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 25, 2019
Extras
Reflect With Me - 2FP
Owners
Brittany Farms, Bradley Grant
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 25, 2019 – The trainer-driver team of Tony Alagna and Andrew McCarthy put forth a second-straight shocker when Reflect With Me, sent off at odds of 27-1 shocked the field in capturing the $600,000 (US) final of the Breeders Crown for juvenile pacing fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday night.
Unlike the victory with Ramona Hill a race earlier McCarthy chose to sit back from post eight and let others do the work. He got exactly what he was looking for when Priceless and driver Brandon Bates cut the opening quarter in :26 4/5 and then made even money favorite Lyons Sentinel with driver Tim Tetrick work a bit extra hard before releasing her to the tune of a :53 3/5 first half clocking.
The race got more interesting when elimination winner New Year took up the offensive without cover past the half towing Alicorn into the race. McCarthy for his trouble had managed to work out a fourth over trip with the Captaintreacherous-sired filly and once the field passed three quarters in 1:22 1/5 McCarthy sent his filly three and then four wide to begin the long trek towards the leaders.
Lyons Sentinel was hanging in determinedly as New Year flattened out from her first-over challenge but the field was closing in on the leaders and Reflect With Me had the most energy and McCarthy kept her to her task getting there in the final strides in the 1:50 3/5 mile. The clocking was a fifth off the Crown record. Lyons Sentinel held the place spot with Marloe Hanover slipping between fillies for third. New Year and Looksgoodinaromper rounded out the top five.
Reflect With Me, was bred by Brittany Farms who share ownership in the filly with Bradley Grant. It was the second straight trophy for Grant as well on the evening. It was the fifth victory in 11 starts on the season for Reflect With Me who returned a healthy $56.20 for the win mutual ticket.
Trainer | Driver
Tony Alagna | Andrew McCarthy
“She got a little tired near the wire but she kept on coming,” said McCarthy following the victory.
“I spoke with Andy before the race and we both felt there was a lot of speed inside,” said Tony Alagna.
Purse $600,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 25, 2019
Extras
Tall Dark Stranger - 2CP
Owners
Crawford Farms, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms, Howard Taylor
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 25, 2019 – The $600,000 (US) Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Colt Pace was expected to be a battle between elimination winner Papi Rob Hanover and Metro winner Tall Dark Stranger. That the two crossed the wire that way was just the beginning of a story that changed radically after the finish.
Driver Yannick Gingras placed an objection on behalf of Tall Dark Stranger against David Miller on Papi Rob Hanover and after a long period the judges agreed, placing Tall Dark Stranger first and race-winner Papi Rob Hanover second in the final of four $600,000 juvenile Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday night.
Tall Dark Stranger left alertly going past Cattlewash into the first turn with 6-5 favorite Papi Rob Hanover settling in third for Miller. Tall Dark Stranger cut effective fractions of :27 3/5 and :55 1/5 for the opening half as the field was spread out with passing that station. Miller went on the offensive midway on the final turn with Papi Rob Hanover but by that time it appeared as if Gingras had gotten the fractions he needed crossing three quarters in 1:23 2/5 with Tall Dark Stranger. A bitter battled ensued in the homestretch as the two colts battled head to head right to the wire with Papi Rob Hanover getting his head in front at the wire in the 1:51 mile.
The inquiry sign went up quickly and the judges determined that Papi Rob Hanover had made contact with Tall Dark Stranger causing that one to lose his momentum. “My colt was fighting back,” said Gingras after the race. “I haven’t made an objection since Yonkers in 2002.”
Sent off as the second choice in the field Tall Dark Stranger returned $5.80 while notching his eighth win in nine career starts for trainer Nancy Johansson. Marvin Katz, Crawford Farms, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor share ownership in Tall Dark Stranger who was bred by James Avritt Sr.
Trainer | Driver
Nancy Johansson | Yannick Gingras
Cattlewash finished third with original fourth place finisher Mayhem Hanover also getting disqualified for getting in the path of Capt Midnight in the late stages and causing that one to break. The judges placed Capt Midnight fourth with Mayhem Hanover revised back to fifth.
A disqualification of a Breeders Crown race winner had only happened twice before (That Fabulous Face in 1998 and Corleone Kosmos in 2007) , with both being by trotters that made a break.
Purse $600,00
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 25, 2019
Extras
Warrawee Ubeaut -3FP
Owners
Burke Racing Stable, Jandt Silva Purnel & Libb, weaver Bruscemi
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 - Warrawee Ubeaut had to work a bit hard to gain the front but the Sweet Lou-sired filly was again much the best in the $550,000 (US) Breeders Crown for her second consecutive Crown title.
Yannick Gingras let others do the work early as he left with purpose with Warrawee Ubeaut and watched as Stonebridge Soul first sprinted to the lead and then released Treacherous Reign through a wicked :25 3/5 opening quarter. Warrawee Ubeaut then made a bold bid on the backstretch into a light wind to secure the front in :54 4/5. From there only Tall Drink Hanover made a race of it attacking at a distance from the winner through three quarters in 1:23 1/5.
Gingras took nothing for granted as Warrawee Ubeaut bore out some in the homestretch keeping the Ron Burke-trained filly to task. Without question she was once again up to it in capturing her second straight Breeders Crown trophy while sprinting home in :27 1/5 final quarter. The mile was paced in 1:50 2/5 by Warrawee Ubeaut who was an overwhelming public choice at 1-5 paying $2.40 for the victory.
Tall Drink Hanover kept her momentum through the homestretch to gain the place spot with Stonebridge Soul advancing late for third. Sunny Dee and Treacherous Reign completed the top five in the field.
Bred in Ontario by Warrawee Farm of Rockwood, it was the 12th win on the season for Warrawee Ubeaut who is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Phil Collura, J & T Silva, Purnell & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
“I talked to Ron (Burke) before the race and we didn’t want to have to go hard into the wind. It didn’t work that way,” said Gingras. “She relaxed so good in the third quarter and I think that’s what won the race for her.”
Trainer | Driver
Ron Burke | Yannick Gingras
Purse $500,000
Woodbine Mohawk Park -Campbellville, ON - October 26, 2019
Extras
Winndevie - 3FT
Owners
Purple Haze Stable
MILTON, ONTARIO, October 26 – Brian Sears guided race-favorite Winndevie to a late-charging win in the $655,000 (CAD) Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday. The winning mile went in 1:53.
Trainer | Driver
Trond Smedshammer | Brian Sears
Bet down early, Sears was in no hurry to leave quickly with Winndevie as Only Take Cash and When Dovescry sped to line up first and second with The Ice Dutchess following. Only Take Cash cut the first quarter in :26.2 as Asiago broke and galloped on the outside.
Only Take Cash was overtaken by When Dovescry, who herself was passed in the shuffle by The Ice Dutchess as the half went in :56.3.
Taking to the outside, the Joie De Vie LLC-bred Winndevie began to make up serious ground, going strongly after The Ice Dutchess to three-quarters in 1:25.3. From there, Winndevie was urged on by Sears and got to the wire first in full command of the field.
Trained by Trond Smedshammer, Winndevie won in 1:53.
When Dovescry took second and The Ice Dutchess held on for third.
Winndevie is owned by Purple Haze Stables. The Credit Winner—Vida De Vie was a top performer in the New York Sires Stakes season. With this win, Winndevie has earned a little more than $865,000.
