2020 Breeders Crown

ANDERSON, Ind.—November 27, 2020—In conjunction with the initiative created by Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino raised $126,189 as part of the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge. The challenge culminated on Friday, October 30, 2020, the first night of the 37th edition of the Breeders Crown at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Through different fundraising outlets, four Indiana charities benefitted from the Charity Challenge with Hoosier Burn Camp coming out ahead and earning the most of the four. Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Center Inc., AWS Foundation of Indiana and The Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment also received funds from the challenge.

The Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership acted as the official presenting sponsor of the 2020 Breeders Crown at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, the second year that the partnership has sponsored The Breeders Crown Series. The partnership, voted Armstrong Breeder of the Year in four of the last five years, was founded more than 25 years ago and has been involved in the breeding of many champions in the sport. Libfeld & Katz bred the sport’s first million-dollar yearling, Maverick, and in 2019 were voted the Stanley Bergstein Proximity Award, one of the sports highest honors, for the creation and execution of the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge.

The challenge kicked off raising $105,000 at the Lexington Select Yearling Sale on Tuesday, October 6, where buyers could bid on breedings to some of the elite sires for 2021. Stallions featured were Father Patrick, Greenshoe, JK Endofanera, Swan For All, Tall Dark Stranger and Walner. The Father Patrick breeding brought the highest bid at $30,000.

The second fundraising aspect was the Glamour Boy Challenge, where connections of a top-performing three-year-old pacing colt would donate one percent of their earnings through November 1. With Tall Dark Stranger, Cattlewash, Captain Barbossa and Odds On Osiris featured, it was Tall Dark Stranger who once again contributed the bulk of the funds, his connections donating $13,062 to the challenge. With the Glamour Boy Challenge raising a combined total of $21,189, the donation bank for the Charity Challenge reached $126,189.

Fans held a bit of the weight for the final component of the challenge. To determine which charity received the most donations, fans could vote via Facebook for a celebrity spokesperson and the spokesperson’s charity of their choosing. The winning charity would receive one-half of the funds, second place would receive one-fourth and so on. With a total of 6,723 votes recorded, Jeff Saturday representing Hoosier Burn Camp won the fan vote, receiving over half the votes and earning $63,094.50 for the organization.

“Working with everyone associated with Harrah’s Hoosier Park was absolutely spectacular,” Mark J. Koopman of Hoosier Burn Camp expressed. “Their organization was truly a first-class experience from start to finish. The time, talent and treasure they have invested to help our very deserving adolescent burn survivors with Hoosier Burn Camp is very much appreciated and genuinely difficult for me to express knowing how it will yield such a positive impact.”

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge was introduced in 2019 at Woodbine-Mohawk Park, host of the 2019 Breeders Crown. Breeders Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz wanted to partner with the Breeders Crown to find a creative way to support local charities and strengthen the host track ties to the community.

“I want to thank Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s Tony Renz who worked so diligently with Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz,” Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Rick Moore, noted. “I also would like to that our four local charities in making our Charity Challenge a phenomenal success. Giving back to our community is at the core of what Harrah’s Hoosier Park and the entire harness racing industry represents.”

The 2020 Breeders Crown at Harrah’s Hoosier Park also pulled in its largest handle in the 27-year history with a total of $2,474,344 wagered on the 15-race card Saturday, Oct. 31. The previous track record for handle on a single program was set during the 2017 Breeders Crown at $2,063,985.

The 2020 edition was also a two-night record for the track with a total of $4,297,864 wagered on Breeders Crown Championships compared to a two-night total of $3,837,869 wagered in 2017. For more information on the upcoming live racing schedule at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

Photo: Jeff Saturday and the team with Hoosier Burn Camp accepting the check from the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge from Harrah's Hoosier Park officials. Photo courtesy of Dean Gillette Photography.

by Ken Weingartner, for the Breeders Crown ANDERSON, Ind. — Manchego became only the fourth trotter in history to win three Breeders Crown trophies by capturing Saturday’s (Oct. 31) $300,000 Mare Trot in 1:52 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Dispatched as the 4-5 favorite, Manchego won by 3-1/4 lengths over Plunge Blue Chip. When Dovescry overcame a break at the start to rally for third. Manchego joined Peace Corps, Grades Singing and Mack Lobell as the only trotters with at least three Crowns. Peace Corps holds the Breeders Crown record with four titles; Grades Singing and Mack Lobell each had three. In Saturday’s final, Felicityshagwell S went to the front followed by Plunge Blue Chip, Weslynn Quest, and Manchego. The top four remained in that order through a :27.3 opening quarter and :56 half. Entering the last turn, driver Dexter Dunn put Manchego on a first-over march. She was third to three-quarters in 1:24.2, and she briefly followed Plunge Blue Chip (Åke Svanstedt) — who pulled the pocket in the stretch — before powering past her rivals for the victory. “It actually worked out good because I got on (Svanstedt’s) helmet for a while; he sort of beat me into the stretch there,” Dunn said. “Once I moved her off Åke’s helmet, she really exploded. “She’s an amazing horse. She really did it easy. It was a good performance tonight. It’s a pleasure to sit behind her.” Manchego’s previous Breeders Crown triumphs came at age 2 at Hoosier Park in 2017 and at age 4 at Woodbine Mohawk Park last year. “It sure never gets old,” said owner Barry Guariglia of Black Horse Racing. “She’s an awesome mare. It’s been a great ride.” Manchego, a 5-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill out of Secret Magic, is trained by Nancy Takter. Manchego has won five of 12 races this year and 32 of 55 in her career, with earnings of $2.56 million. She was bred by Brittany Farms. Manchego paid $3.80 to win.

Manchego sustained an uncovered attack and surged clear in mid-stretch to capture her third Breeders Crown title. Dean Gillette Photography.

by Kimberly French, for the Breeders Crown

ANDERSON, Ind. — A highly anticipated clash between Breeders Crown elimination winners Perfect Sting (David Miller) and Southwind Gendry (Yannick Gingras) on Friday (Oct. 30) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park did not disappoint. In fact, it was epic, as Summa Cum Laude (Brian Sears) inserted himself into the fray right at the line to not only finish of front of Southwind Gendry, but to dead heat with Perfect Sting in the $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers in 1:50.2. It was the first occasion in the 37 editions of the Breeders Crown that there has been a dead heat for a victory.

Right when the wings of the gate folded, the duel was on as Southwind Gendry went to the lead with Perfect Sting right behind him through a blistering first fraction of :25.3. Miller had no intention of allowing that rival to get away from him and sent Perfect Sting to the lead prior to a half mile in :54.1. Southwind Gendry sat in the pocket biding his time with JK Going West (LeWayne Miller) in third.

As Perfect Sting and Southwind Gendry headed to the three-quarter pole in 1:22.4, they provided a bit of separation between themselves and their eight rivals. It appeared the battle was on, and it certainly was. After Abuckabett Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) made a nasty break on the outside, Perfect Sting and Southwind Gendry threw down the gauntlet in the stretch. While those horses were locked in on one another, JK Going West hit his best stride and Summa Cum Laude had moved from sixth to fourth.

As the horses paced to the finish line, it became obvious Perfect Sting and Southwind Gendry had their hooves full. All four horses in contention crossed the line nearly as a quartet and the decision was too close to call. A photograph determined exactly that, as Perfect Sting and Summa Cum Laude could not be separated. Southwind Gendry was third and JK Going West was fourth.

“I knew I was getting close,” said Sears. “And Hoosier Park has a long stretch.”

Summa Cum Laude is a son of Somebeachsomewhere and Western Graduate trained by Ron Burke for the Burke Racing Stable, Phillip Collura, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. He was bred by Nick Surick Stable and J L Benson Stables. His record now stands at four wins in 13 starts.

For Perfect Sting, the triumph kept his unblemished record intact. The son of Always B Miki and Shebestingin is now 10-for-10 and competes as a homebred for Brittany Farms and Val D’Or Farms.

“We talked the talk right in the beginning of the year, and he backed it up,” said Joe Holloway, Perfect Sting's trainer. “I trained the dad and the mom and a lot of other very nice horses, but I said right away this horse is the best I’ve ever had. He proved that tonight. None of them went undefeated as a 2-year-old or won like he did tonight.”

Summa Cum Laude paid $11.20 while Perfect Sting paid his supporters $2.20.

by Frank Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown ANDERSON, Ind. — Fire Start Hanover held sway to the wire while challenged late for a 1:50.4 win in the $600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly pace at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Friday (Oct. 30). Dexter Dunn left hard with Fire Start Hanover, settling in third as Scarlett Hanover and JK Alwaysblady rushed ahead of her. The first quarter clocked in at :26.4 with Continalou in fourth and Somethingbeautiful finding the fifth spot. JK Alwaysblady measured a sprint to the front off the fast panel to take the lead over Scarlett Hanover, but Dunn was restless after the shuffle and took to the outside at the :55.3 half to guide the field home. Somethingbeautiful, who briefly drafted behind Fire Start Hanover, was left uncovered as JK Alwaysblady chased the leader. Fire Start Hanover reached three-quarters in 1:23.3 while JK Alwaysblady continued to gain and Somethingbeautiful broke in the middle of the stretch. As Fire Start Hanover was urged to keep the lead, Scarlett Hanover launched a bid but was unable to catch the leader or JK Alwaysblady, who missed by only a neck. Fire Start Hanover, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and Fit To Frame bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, was two-fifths of a second off the Breeders Crown division record and won her seventh race from 11 starts for owners Pinske Stables, David Hoese and Lawrence Means.. She paid $8.20 to win. “We got into a pretty good spot to win it,” said Dunn. “She was sharper this week than [in the elimination] last week ... getting a little tired at the end, though.” Trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman recorded his fifth Breeders Crown win, saying, “This is the one race you want to win all year and I was very sure she could do it tonight.” Marlys Pinske, co-owner of Fire Start Hanover, said she was “very confident” going into the race. “We had our first Breeders Crown win last year,” she said. “This is a great night for the family.” Fire Start Hanover will train in Florida during the winter.

Fire Start Hanover (#7) barely withstood a late charge from pocket rival JK Alwaysbalady to capture the Breeders Crown for 2-year-old pacing fillies. Dean Gillette Photography.

by Ken Weingartner, for the Breeders Crown ANDERSON, Ind. — On A Streak and driver Bob McClure surged down the stretch to overcome pacesetter Captain Corey and then held off In Range by three-quarters of a length to win Friday’s (Oct. 30) $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male trotters in a stakes record 1:52.4 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Venerate finished third. McClure left quickly from post four with On A Streak and led heading to the first turn before yielding the top spot to Captain Corey and driver Åke Svanstedt through a :26.4 opening quarter. Venerate, the 4-5 favorite, and driver Andy Miller began a bid for the front with a first-over move from fifth up the backstretch, but were unable to pass Captain Corey as they hit the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:24.1. In the stretch, McClure angled the pocket-sitting On A Streak to the inside and took the lead en route a 9-1 upset. “My colt is so handy,” McClure said. “Getting him off the gate, I wanted to leave and hopefully follow Åke or Andy, or even both. When I saw Åke look over and try to take off on Andy, I thought it looked really good. “Andy’s horse seemed like he was coming (in the stretch), so I just tried to get into the passing lane and get my horse re-motivated. It’s not easy for 2-year-old trotters to dive into the passing lane and try to advance; it’s not really taught to them. But he’s such a professional that, as soon as he saw open air, he took off.” On A Streak, a son of Cantab Hall out of Habit’s Best, has won two of nine races this season and $646,184 for owner Determination and trainer Luc Blais. He was bred by Fredericka Caldwell. The colt’s previous victory came in the William Wellwood Memorial at Woodbine Mohawk Park in September. It was the first Breeders Crown title for McClure and fourth for Blais. “To win a Breeders Crown is always special,” Blais said. “It’s the end of the year, it’s a long season, and when you win that, you’re fresh for the winter.” The previous stakes record of 1:53 was set by Walner in 2016. On A Streak paid $20.80 to win.

On A Streak lifted up the open stretch to give driver Bob McClure his first Breeders Crown championship. Dean Gillette Photography.

by Ray Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown ANDERSON, Ind. — Once finding clearance in the open stretch, even money favorite Lady Chaos lunged and clung to the lead to hold off Mazzarati and win the $600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly trot on Friday (Oct. 30) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Parked to a :27.1 first quarter, Lady Chaos cleared the lead entering the backstretch with Mazzarati settling for the pocket and Iteration racing third. Presto, caught wide from the start, pressed forward to challenge and then take command from Lady Chaos past a :57.1 half. Iteration tipped first-over entering the far turn and marched towards new leader Presto nearing three-quarters in 1:26, edging to a narrow lead as Presto faltered off the turn. Splash Blue Chip charged to the center of the course, but stalled in her bid as Lady Chaos dove into the passing lane to take the lead while pursued by Mazzarati — who angled deeper into the open stretch. Mazzarati dug into Lady Chaos through the final sixteenth, but the Linda Toscano-trained Cantab Hall filly kept her late foe narrowly at bay in 1:54.4. Splash Blue Chip finished third, with Ima Diamond Babe rallying for fourth. “Everybody is going to try and get into position, take shots. It’s expected,” driver David Miller said after the race. “The trip actually worked out good. I mean, I got parked around the first turn, but she got to the lead and relaxed. Yannick came at her pretty hard, so I followed her around the turn and into the stretch. And my [filly] had a lot of trot finishing.” Now a six-time winner in 10 starts, Lady Chaos has accrued $560,803 for owners Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone, Joseph Lozito Jr. and Enviro Stables Ltd. Linda Toscano trains the filly bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut and AV And Son Bloodstock LLC. “I loved her from the minute we bought her,” Toscano said after the race. “She’s done everything right — we had a couple of glitches along the way, but she really rose to the occasion tonight. I’m tickled. The horses are what drive me here, and the horses are what keep me here. I’m blessed to have an incredible group of owners who have confidence in me and entrust me with animals like this. I couldn’t be more happy.” Lady Chaos paid $4.00 to win.

Lady Chaos held off an inside rally from Mazzarati to capture the Breeders Crown for 2-year-old trotting fillies. Dean Gillette Photography.

October 30, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Chris Ryder says having a horse like Bettor’s Wish is probably the highlight of his career as a trainer. Having another like Party Girl Hill is not far behind.

“That’s exactly right,” Ryder said. “It’s great to have two horses like this.”

Bettor’s Wish, a 4-year-old stallion, is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in Saturday’s $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Five races earlier, Party Girl Hill, unbeaten in 14 lifetime starts, is the 2-5 choice in the $500,000 Breeders Crown final for 3-year-old female pacers.

Party Girl Hill is the No. 2-ranked horse in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, behind 3-year-old male pacer Tall Dark Stranger. Bettor’s Wish is No. 8.

Bettor’s Wish, co-owned by Ryder, has won five of 10 races this year and $384,732. His triumphs include the Sam McKee Memorial, Dayton Pacing Derby, and Allerage Farms Open Pace. He was second in the Dan Patch Stakes.

For his career, the son of Bettor’s Delight-Lifetime Star has won 23 of 41 starts and $2.30 million. He led the sport in earnings in 2019 with $1.64 million and was the Dan Patch Award winner for best 3-year-old male pacer.

At the end of the season, Bettor’s Wish will retire to stallion duties at Diamond Creek Farm of Pennsylvania.

“Bettor’s Wish is probably the highlight of my training career,” Ryder said. “He’s like part of the family. He’s got such a great personality, I really appreciate him around the barn, and he just keeps coming out and producing time after time. Right now, he’s just got a couple starts left. Then you realize it’s going to be done. It’s going to be bittersweet. But we’re pleased it’s working out the way it is.

“He’s going to retire sound and at the top of his game. He’s got a great gait, a great attitude, a big heart, he knows how to win, and he’s from a great family; I don’t know what more people could want in a horse. He’s going to be a popular stallion. It’s going to be fun to see his babies.”

Bettor’s Wish was purchased for $20,000 at the 2017 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Ryder owns the horse with Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm, and Bettors Wish Partners.

Last year in the Breeders Crown, Bettor’s Wish finished second by a head to Dancin Lou. This year, he starts from post nine, the outermost spot on the gate. He brings a three-race win streak to the final.

“No matter how it goes, he’s the horse to beat,” said Ryder, who has won four Breeders Crown trophies in his career. “He had the seven (post) in the Allerage and eight in the Sam McKee, and he got the job done. He’s real good at the moment. If he stays healthy, I think people are going to see something pretty good.”

Something pretty good could be in store with Party Girl Hill, as well. Unraced at age 2 because of an injury, she has dominated at 3. Her victories this season include the Fan Hanover, Jugette, Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship, and Tattersalls Pace division, where she became only the second pacing filly to beat male rivals in a race worth at least $100,000 in the last 30 years. She won her Jugette elimination in 1:49.3, the first sub-1:50 mile on a half-mile track by a female pacer in history.

“It’s all systems go,” Ryder said. “It’s not like she’s done a lot of easy races, they’ve all been top of the line.

“She’s a phenomenal filly. I feel confident going into (the final), although there are some tremendous horses here. She has many qualities. She’s got class. She’s got speed and she can relax. She’s got it all. She is versatile and takes everything that comes at her. She’s undefeated, you can’t beat that.”

Party Girl Hill, a daughter of Captaintreacherous-Look Cheap, is owned by breeder Tom Hill.

Lyons Sentinel, the 2019 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old filly pacer, is the 9-2 second choice in the Crown final. Peaky Sneaky is 5-1.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts the four $600,000 Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds on Friday. The remaining eight finals, for 3-year-olds and older horses, are Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

The 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is the 37th edition of the $6 million event. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the races on YouTube.

Following is the field for Saturday’s Breeders Crown Open Pace.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML 1-Sectionline Bigry-Tyler Smith-Steve Bauder-8/1 2-Filibuster Hanover-Chris Page-Ron Burke-12/1 3-Western Joe-Andrew McCarthy-Christopher Choate-30/1 4-Dorsoduro Hanover-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-20/1 5-Sintra-Trace Tetrick-Tyler George-20/1 6-Backstreet Shadow-Tim Tetrick-Ron Burke-9/2 7-Century Farroh-David Miller-Ian Moore-4/1 8-Dancin Lou-Brian Sears-Tahnee Camilleri-20/1 9-Bettor’s Wish-Dexter Dunn-Chris Ryder-8/5 10-This Is The Plan-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke-5/1

This Is The Plan starts from the second tier.

Following is the field for Saturday’s Breeders Crown for 3-year-old filly pacers.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML 1-Drama Act-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-15/1 2-Party Girl Hill-Dexter Dunn-Chris Ryder-2/5 3-Lyons Sentinel-Tim Tetrick-Jim King Jr.-9/2 4-Peaky Sneaky-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-5/1 5-Pettycoat Business-Trace Tetrick-Brian Brown-30/1 6-Rocknificent-Scott Zeron-Linda Toscano-12/1 7-JK First Lady-David Miller-Nancy Takter-10/1 8-Lady Lou-Brett Miller-Tony Alagna-30/1 9-Hen Party-Andrew McCarthy-Tony Alagna-30/1 10-New Year-Joe Bongiorno-Chris Ryder-30/1

New Year starts from the second tier.

October 29, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Perfect Sting can do what’s never been done in Friday’s $600,000 Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old male pacers. With a win, the Joe Holloway-trained colt will finish his campaign 10-for-10. In the history of the event, none of the 36 male pacers to win a trophy at age 2 ever finished his rookie season undefeated.

Holloway said the Breeders Crown start at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will be Perfect Sting’s last race of 2020. The colt heads to the final off a 1:50.4 score in his elimination last week. He defeated Summa Cum Laude by 3-3/4 lengths and his time over a sloppy surface was just a tick off the track record.

Perfect Sting will start Friday from post two with David Miller in the sulky. He is the 7-5 morning-line favorite.

“He just keeps feeling better and better, so that’s a good thing,” said Holloway, a seven-time Breeders Crown winner. “I hope he gets the job done. I think he deserves it because I truly think he’s a great horse. Hopefully, he can show it on Friday.”

Perfect Sting is a son of Always B Miki out of Shebestingin. Always B Miki, a two-time Breeders Crown Open Pace winner trained by Holloway at ages 2 and 3, shares the record for history’s fastest mile, 1:46. Shebestingin, trained by Holloway throughout her career, was the all-time fastest female pacer until 2019, when Shartin N’s 1:46.4 mile bettered her mark by one-fifth of a second.

In his three starts prior to the Breeders Crown, Perfect Sting won the Kentucky Sire Stakes championship before picking up his first Grand Circuit scores in divisions of the Bluegrass and International Stallion stakes. He rallied from third in the stretch to win the International Stallion by a head. In his Crown elim, he led in the stretch and extended his advantage by an additional two lengths.

“There is something every time,” Holloway said, referring to Perfect Sting’s improvement. “Two starts prior, he ran that horse down; I thought he had an insurmountable lead. His last start, when he was on the front, when David called on him, he was out there going.

“I think he’s learned how to be a racehorse now. He knows what he’s doing now, so I think he’ll do what he has to.”

Perfect Sting’s path to perfection will not be easy. Southwind Gendry won the other Breeders Crown elimination by three lengths over Caviart Lotus in 1:51. He has captured nine of 11 starts, including the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship and divisions of the Bluegrass and International Stallion. He brings a seven-race win streak to the final.

Southwind Gendry, a son of Always B Miki-Gambler’s Passion, is the 8-5 second choice on the morning line, leaving from post three with Yannick Gingras driving for trainer Ron Burke. The final will be the first meeting between Southwind Gendry and Perfect Sting.

“I know he’s been racing well and he’s tough,” Holloway said about Southwind Gendry. “But I think my horse is better. I’m supposed to think that way. They’re supposed to think that way. We’ll find out come Friday.”

Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts the four $600,000 Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds on Friday. The remaining eight finals, for 3-year-olds and older horses, are Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

The 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is the 37th edition of the $6 million event. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the races on YouTube.

Following is the field for Friday’s Breeders Crown 2-year-old colt-and-gelding pace final.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML 1-JK Going West-LeWayne Miller-LeWayne Miller-12/1 2-Perfect Sting-David Miller-Joe Holloway-7/5 3-Southwind Gendry-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke-8/5 4-Always A Miki-Dexter Dunn-Nancy Takter-12/1 5-Bayfield Beach-Trace Tetrick-Brian Brown-20/1 6-Summa Cum Laude-Brian Sears-Ron Burke-10/1 7-Abuckabett Hanover-Andrew McCarthy-Tony Alagna-20/1 8-Caviart Lotus-Tim Tetrick-Nancy Takter-15/1 9-Captains Place-Tyler Smith-John Ackley-30/1 10-Literl Lad Hanover-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-20/1

Literl Lad Hanover starts from the second tier.

October 29, 2020, by Rich Fisher, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Trenton, NJ — Owner Richard Gutnick and trainer Linda Toscano enjoyed special Breeders Crown successes from 2011-2013 and hope to relive those feelings this weekend with Lady Chaos.

Whether or not that happens, their special relationship will remain intact.

Lady Chaos is in the $600,000 Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old filly trotters at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday. She has five wins in nine starts, including the Kentucky Sire Stakes championship, and was second in the Peaceful Way Stakes.

It is the most talented horse owned by Gutnick — who shares ownership with partners Tom Pontone, Joseph Lozito Jr. and Enviro Stables — to enter the race since his previous Breeders Crown champs.

“She’s got such talent,” said Gutnick, whose horse is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. “I’m just enjoying the ride. She’s the best horse I’ve had since Chapter Seven and Market Share.”

Chapter Seven won the Breeders Crown 3-year-old colt-and-gelding trot in 2011 and Open Trot in 2012, while Market Share won the Open Trot in 2013. In 2012, Chapter Seven was Horse of the Year and Market Share won the Hambletonian.

Toscano trained both after she and Gutnick first started working together in 2008.

From there, a partnership became so much more.

“She and I consider each other friends first, and then I consider her my trainer,” Gutnick said. “It probably took me a year after I first started with her to earn her respect and convince her I knew what I was talking about.

“At times Linda will call and ask me what I want to do. I have often said, Linda you know exactly the way I think. You didn’t even have to ask me.”

The two often plan strategy together and, on the rare occasions they disagree, a solution is usually inevitable.

“As far as I’m concerned, the person who works with the horse should have the final say 95 percent of the time,” Gutnick said. “I have enough confidence in Linda. I always have.”

It was Toscano, a six-time Breeders Crown winner and Hall of Famer, who brought Lady Chaos to Gutnick’s attention when he was looking around at some different fillies.

“She didn’t tell me that she loved it or anything else at that time, she just said, maybe you should go look,” Gutnick said. “I went and looked, and I loved her. When I watched the video and everything else, I told Linda, OK, we’re going to go up to X amount of dollars. I was standing right next to her. I always give her some leeway. I’m not always good at bidding at auctions. I’m the type that bids against myself.”

The purchase was made for $125,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, when the daughter of Cantab Hall-Strong Legacy was named Tiger Mom Lindy. Before Toscano went to work, that moniker changed.

“When we bought her, I told Tommy the first thing that goes is her name and he agreed,” Gutnick said.

Thus, Richard decided to name the horse after — his wife?

What, pray tell, did Suzanne Gutnick ever do to be associated with chaos?

Her husband chuckled, saying, “I told her one of these days someone is going to ask how we got that name. Let’s just say my wife lacks some organizational skills. I’ve always seemed to have luck if I named something for my wife and I always thought that name fit her like a glove.

“She’s a sweetheart, don’t get me wrong,” he added. “The funny part is, she’s always liked the name and she’s laughed about it also. I always tell her when her namesake is racing and that I felt she is one of the top two 2-year-old fillies in the country.

“This one is learning. She has the innate ability to be a top filly and hopefully go forward. We’ll take very good care of her, needless to say.”

With David Miller driving, the horse flashed her potential in a qualifier at The Meadowlands.

“Linda told a few people how nice the horse was, but she also had told David she didn’t want to leave with the horse, she wanted to come off the pace,” Gutnick said. “In Linda’s words, ‘After she got shuffled back to last, I said where are we going? I can’t believe I told people how nice she is.’

“Then, all of a sudden, she exploded on her own and went :26.4 in the last quarter and just lost by a head in that baby race to Ineffable, who was a $600,000 buy. That’s when I knew, with the proper tutelage by Linda and David, that we had a top filly.

“She does everything really easily. The only negative she has is, I guess she’s still immature mentally in the sense that when she gets in front, she believes the race is over. That’s why, to me, she’s much better off the pace.”

After a tough early race in Kentucky, the horse rebounded and began to show her ability.

“As with all horses we had some ups and downs,” Gutnick said. “She had allergies. So that cost her in one race and then the last race at the Red Mile she went off at 3-5 (odds). When she came out of it, she was very sick. Linda and I had to decide if we wanted to race her the following week or not.

“She was hoping to get her ready, and then she called and said she thought the horse needed that week off. I was all for it. My philosophy is always to do what’s best for the horse. That always ends up best for me in the long run.”

It turned out to be the right move. After a three-week break, Lady Chaos won her Breeders Crown elimination by overtaking Presto down the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2 on a sloppy surface. Gutnick feels the horse should be even tighter entering the final.

“I was happy that she got the five post,” Gutnick said. “I didn’t want the rail. I preferred the three, four or five. Even statistically the six is better than the one. That gives Dave Miller the opportunity to race her whatever way he feels is best and to avoid any type of trouble.”

However it turns out, Gutnick knows his filly is in good hands with his good friend.

“Linda is top-notch at getting a horse ready,” he said. “When you have someone like that in your corner, you can’t go wrong.”

Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts the four $600,000 Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds on Friday. The remaining eight finals, for 3-year-olds and older horses, are Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

The 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is the 37th edition of the $6 million event. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the races on YouTube.

Following is the field for Friday’s $600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly trot final.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML 1-Ima Diamond Babe-James Yoder-James Yoder-30/1 2-Iteration-Brian Sears-Marcus Melander-6/1 3-Splash Blue Chip-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt-15/1 4-Mazzarati-Tim Tetrick-Lucas Wallin-5/1 5-Lady Chaos-David Miller-Linda Toscano-5/2 6-Hello I Love You-Joe Bongiorno-Tony Alagna-15/1 7-Big City Pearl-Verlin Yoder-James Yoder-30/1 8-Swift Swanda-Trace Tetrick-Erv Miller-9/2 9-Gotta Believe-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-15/1 10-Presto-Yannick Gingras-Ake Svanstedt-4/1

Presto starts from the second tier.

October 28, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Six weeks ago, trainer Nifty Norman said he couldn’t be happier with the way Amigo Volo looked heading into the rest of the season. As the horse prepares for Saturday’s $500,000 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male trotters, it’s safe to say he remains enthusiastic.

Amigo Volo, who was the Breeders Crown champion at age 2, won the Kentucky Futurity on Oct. 11 at Red Mile and followed up with a track-record victory in his Crown elimination last Saturday at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Going back to mid-August, he has won five of six races and finished second in the other.

“He has not let me down,” Norman said. “Even last week, I was kind of mildly shocked at how good he was. He’s just solid. He’s raced in just about every race there is, and he’s as good now as he was at the start. He maybe even better. That’s a good sign for a horse.”

Amigo Volo won his elimination in 1:51.2, the fastest mile ever by a 3-year-old trotter at Hoosier Park. The time was just one-fifth of a second off the track’s overall record.

In Saturday’s Breeders Crown final, Amigo Volo will start from post two with driver Dexter Dunn. He is the 6-5 morning-line favorite. Three male trotters this century have won Crown trophies at ages 2 and 3: Gimpanzee, 2018-2019; Father Patrick, 2013-2014; and Muscle Hill, 2008-2009. Amigo Volo is by Father Patrick out of Margarita Momma.

For the year, Amigo Volo has won seven of 13 races. Lifetime, the multiple world-record-setting gelding has won 13 of 25 starts and $1.21 million in purses for owners Pinske Stables and David J. Miller.

“It won’t be easy, but I think that at the moment he’s probably the best horse,” said Norman, who has won four Breeders Crown finals. “I’ve got a good driver, a good draw, so I’ve got as good a shot as anybody.”

Norman also sends out Chestnut Hill in the event. Chestnut Hill finished second by a neck to Capricornus in the other Breeders Crown elimination.

For the year, Chestnut Hill has won three of 14 races, including the Canadian Trotting Classic. The colt is by Muscle Hill out of Poof She’s Gone, a filly that provided Norman his first Breeders Crown trophy in 2009. He is owned by Mel Hartman, David McDuffee, and Little E. Hartman and McDuffee bred Chestnut Hill with Herb Liverman.

Chestnut Hill will start from post nine, the outermost spot on the gate, with David Miller in the sulky. The colt is 15-1 on the morning line.

“I thought he raced really good last week, but then the draw just crushed him,” Norman said. “Now you’re really relying on luck. But you know what, he’s had some bad draws or rough trips and got good finishes out of them. A few things went his way, and he always gets home good. The horse himself is in good shape.”

Ready For Moni, who won the Goodtimes Stakes and Harry M. Zweig Memorial after finishing second in the Hambletonian, is the 7-2 second choice. Capricornus is 6-1.

Norman’s Breeders Crown weekend begins Friday with Fire Start Hanover in the $600,000 final for 2-year-old female pacers. The filly had a five-race win streak snapped with a second-place finish to Continualou in her elimination.

Fire Start Hanover is the 3-1 favorite, starting from post seven with driver Dunn.

“I was very happy with her run,” Norman said. “She was sick after Lexington, we brought her home, she had five days off. I only trained her once. I thought she would be kind of short, but she was actually really good. Even though she’s drawn seven, I think she’ll go really good. I think that run last week will really help her and she’s good either way, she can leave or she can race from off the pace.

“She’s a nice filly and I think she’s got a good shot. She’s a big, strong thing, and has just gotten better as the year has gone on. I’ve got a lot of confidence in her.”

Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts the four $600,000 Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds on Friday. The remaining eight finals, for 3-year-olds and older horses, are Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

The 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is the 37th edition of the $6 million event. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the races on YouTube.

Following is the field for Saturday’s Breeders Crown 3-year-old colt-and-gelding trot final.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML 1-Capricornus-Tim Tetrick-Marcus Melander-6/1 2-Amigo Volo-Dexter Dunn-R. Nifty Norman-6/5 3-Ready For Moni-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-7/2 4-Play Trix On Me-Joe Bongiorno-Linda Toscano-20/1 5-Hillexotic-Trond Smedshammer-Trond Smedshammer-20/1 6-Maesteraemon-Scott Zeron-Marcus Melander-15/1 7-Back Of The Neck-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt-8/1 8-Beads-Brian Sears-Per Engblom-8/1 9-Chestnut Hill-David Miller-R. Nifty Norman-15/1 10-Gangster Hanover-Andrew McCarthy-Ake Svanstedt-20/1

October 28, 2020, by Rich Fisher, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Trenton, NJ — JK She’salady was a Breeders Crown champion in 2014 and as a mom she might have two daughters equal that accomplishment by the time this weekend is over.

Six years ago, JK She’salady went undefeated in 12 races and became the only 2-year-old filly pacer in history to be voted Horse of the Year. Flash forward to this weekend, when her first two foals will be in the Breeders Crown finals at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

JK Alwaysbalady is in Friday’s $600,000 final for 2-year-old filly pacers while JK First Lady will go against Horse of the Year candidate Party Girl Hill in Saturday’s $500,000 final for 3-year-old filly pacers. Both were bred and are owned by 3 Brothers Stables.

“It’s fantastic, we look forward to it,” said Alan Katz, who with brothers Ron and Steve comprise the breeding and ownership group. “We foaled the whole family so to have two in the Breeders Crown from the same mare is unbelievable. She was a fantastic filly and her first two foals are fantastic.”

Adding to the close-knit environment is the fact that Nancy Takter has trained both JK She’salady and her fillies.

As always, Takter provides the good vibes heading into the race.

“I’ve known Nancy for seven years and she is super optimistic,” Katz said. “Everything is wonderful, terrific, couldn’t be better. She’s optimistic at all times. But you need racing luck, everybody knows that. There are no locks in this business. Every week something different can happen. You’ve got to draw lucky, don’t get sick and have a good race.”

JK First Lady, by Western Ideal, has had her share of good races, having won nine of 22 career starts, hitting the board a total of 19 times, and earning $623,231. She has been no worse than second in her last nine races, winning four. Her losses have come against either Party Girl Hill or returning Dan Patch Award winner Lyons Sentinel.

She finished second to Lyons Sentinel in their Breeders Crown elimination. She is 10-1 on the morning line in Saturday’s final, where unbeaten Party Girl Hill is the 2-5 chalk.

JK Alwaysbalady, by Always B Miki, won her elimination and has two firsts, two seconds, two thirds and $79,407 in purse winnings in eight starts. She is the 7-2 second choice behind Fire Start Hanover (3-1) in Friday’s final.

In comparing the two, there is no comparison according to Katz.

“They’re completely opposite horses,” he said. “Nancy explains to us that First Lady is aggressive, she’s got a great attitude.

JK Alwaysbalady won her Crown elimination and has two firsts, two seconds, two thirds and $79,407 in purse winnings in eight starts. Dean Gillette Photography.

“The other one is lazy. You’ve got to ask her to go. But she’s getting better and better. The last three starts she’s starting to catch it. In the beginning she was a little slow learning. She’s big, she was overweight, but the hot weather, racing every week gets her in better shape. Now she’s as good as we were hoping she was going to be. We’re happy going into the race with both of them, but they are completely opposite.”

Physically, JK First Lady is not as big as her sibling, but both are well bred and will join the 3 Brothers broodmare band when they retire.

Katz is careful when making comparisons between the fillies and their dam.

“It’s hard to do,” he said. “JK She’salady won 12 out of 12, that doesn’t really happen. I know Party Girl (Hill) obviously has done it, but that’s a once in a lifetime horse. When do you get a horse that goes 12 for 12? It’s hard to compare them. You’re only going to be disappointed if you try to compare anyone to JK She’salady.”

When asked to compare their racing styles, Katz said, “JK She’salady could do anything. Alwaysbalady we’re very careful with, to make sure we don’t leave with her too much and keep her nice and quiet. In fact, we make sure to do that with both of them, and not get them too hot.”

As for their attitude, JK First Lady easily has more of her mother’s traits.

“With Alwaysbalady, you’ve got to make her do it,” Katz said. “The other filly, she’s aggressive, she’s on the iron.”

One thing they have in common is good health.

“They’ve both been pretty sound,” Katz said. “They’ve gone through the whole year and they haven’t really been sick and stuff like that.”

When it comes to who has the better chance of winning this weekend, the owner gives his 2-year-old the nod.

“Truthfully, anyone could win it,” Katz said. “Without (Test Of Faith) in there it’s an open field. There’s no standout. Some of those fillies that were good a month ago haven’t been racing that well in the last two starts, so . . .

“You need the luck, you need the right trip. Whoever gets the right trip and the racing luck will win. It’s a very competitive field, anyone can win.”

As for JK First Lady, Katz said, “We know it’s going to be tough to beat Party Girl Hill. Unless she has a bad day, I don’t think any filly can beat her. Obviously, Party Girl Hill is in another league right now. We’ll be tickled pink to get a good check in there.

“But nothing’s ever a lock. You never know how a horse is going to wake up that day. It’s tough to stay undefeated. Like in any sport, it’s tough to win them all. You’ve got to be really, really lucky to be undefeated.”

The Katz brothers hope good fortune finds them this weekend. With Takter, they have a four-time Breeders Crown winner whose stable this season ranks No. 2 in North America with a career-best $5.77 million in purses.

“Nancy’s having a great year,” Katz said, “so we’re hoping her luck continues.”

Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts the four $600,000 Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds on Friday. The remaining eight finals, for 3-year-olds and older horses, are Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

The 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is the 37th edition of the $6 million event. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the races on YouTube.

Following is the field for Friday’s Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly pace final.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML 1-Continualou-Brian Sears-Ron Burke-8/1 2-JK Alwaysbalady-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-7/2 3-Caviart Audrey-Andrew McCarthy-Nancy Takter-20/1 4-Paulas Bet Hanover-Chris Page-Ron Burke-20/1 5-Scarlett Hanover-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-4/1 6-Blue Diamond Eyes-David Miller-Ron Burke-9/2 7-Fire Start Hanover-Dexter Dunn-R. Nifty Norman-3/1 8-Nashville Elgenna-Joe Bongiorno-Tony Alagna-30/1 9-Notorious Pink-Tim Tetrick-Tony Alagna-5/1 10-Somethingbeautiful-Scott Zeron-Dylan Davis-15/1

Somethingbeautiful starts from the second tier.

Following is the field for Saturday’s Breeders Crown 3-year-old filly pace final.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-ML 1-Drama Act-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-15/1 2-Party Girl Hill-Dexter Dunn-Chris Ryder-2/5 3-Lyons Sentinel-Tim Tetrick-Jim King Jr.-9/2 4-Peaky Sneaky-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Takter-5/1 5-Pettycoat Business-Trace Tetrick-Brian Brown-30/1 6-Rocknificent-Scott Zeron-Linda Toscano-12/1 7-JK First Lady-David Miller-Nancy Takter-10/1 8-Lady Lou-Brett Miller-Tony Alagna-30/1 9-Hen Party-Andrew McCarthy-Tony Alagna-30/1 10-New Year-Joe Bongiorno-Chris Ryder-30/1

New Year starts from the second tier.

Hightstown, NJ — Atlanta has done plenty to impress trainer Ron Burke in the two seasons she has been in his stable, including win eight Grand Circuit finals, set speed records in the U.S. and Canada, and receive a Dan Patch Award.

Yet as she prepares to take on nine male rivals in Saturday’s $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Burke has never felt better about the 5-year-old mare.

Atlanta heads to the race off a 1:50 win over a “good” surface in the Allerage Farms Open Trot on Oct. 11 at Lexington’s Red Mile. Only a half-length loss to Gimpanzee in the Caesars Trotting Classic at Hoosier in September keeps her from a four-race win streak.

“I could not be happier with her, she’s the best she’s ever been for us,” said Burke, who took over the training of Atlanta at the beginning of 2019. “I like getting the week off because she loves to race off multiple weeks off, so she’s going to come in sharp for the final. I’m thrilled.”

What has made Atlanta even better?

“I think she’s matured a little bit more,” Burke said. “I’ve always worried about her weight, and it’s really not an issue now. She looks great. And maybe the year, the way her schedule has been, it’s really helped. She hasn’t raced that much, and I don’t think she really wants to race a lot, because when she races she gives everything every step every time.”

Atlanta has won five of 10 races this season. In addition to the Allerage, her victories include the Maple Leaf Trot, Dayton Trotting Derby, and Arthur J. Cutler Memorial.

She will attempt to become the fourth mare to win the Breeders Crown Open Trot, joining Hannelore Hanover (2017), Moni Maker (1998) and CR Kay Suzie (1996). Atlanta, the Trotter of the Year in 2018 and Dan Patch Award winner for best older female trotter in 2019, is seeking her first Crown.

Last year, Atlanta finished third in the Open Trot behind Bold Eagle and Six Pack.

Burke leads all active trainers in Breeders Crown hardware with 17 trophies. Jimmy Takter holds the record with 34.

Atlanta, who has won 25 of 49 career races and $2.52 million, will start Saturday from post five with driver Yannick Gingras, a 23-time Breeders Crown winner. The mare is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Brad Grant, and Howard Taylor.

With the way Atlanta is racing, Burke cannot help but think ahead a bit to 2021.

“I think it points to next year being her best year,” Burke said. “I’m excited. Right now, it’s all go to race next year again. I think we can do special things next year.”

Atlanta is not alone in looking to add her name to the Breeders Crown record book Saturday. Four-year-old stallion Gimpanzee is aiming for his third win in a Crown final. Only three trotters have captured three or more Breeders Crown trophies in history. Female trotter Peace Corps holds the record with four. Grades Singing, another female, won three as did male trotter Mack Lobell.

Gimpanzee, a Dan Patch Award winner at age 2, has won seven of 10 races this year, including the John Cashman Memorial, and 24 of 33 lifetime. He has earned $2.45 million for owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable.

He enters the Crown final off a 1:52 win last Saturday in an invitational at Hoosier. He starts from post three with Brian Sears in the sulky. Sears has won 32 Crown finals, second most in history behind John Campbell’s 48.

Prior to winning the invitational, Gimpanzee was sixth in the Allerage, his only off-the-board finish of the campaign.

“The result in Lexington was a little disappointing, even if I wasn’t disappointed in the horse, but the result,” trainer Marcus Melander said. “I could feel in the warmups (Saturday) that he was in form. I told Brian that too.

“We were both very excited that he bounced back the way he did. It was a perfect prep race for him. Brian drove him perfectly and he didn’t have to chase him hard down the lane, he did it very easily. I couldn’t have been happier.”

The Open Trot field also includes Fiftydallarbill, who won a Breeders Crown at age 2 in 2017 at Hoosier, as well as Lindy The Great and Majestic Player A, who are among three horses sharing the Hoosier track record of 1:51.1 for a trotter, and millionaire Crystal Fashion.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts the four $600,000 Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds on Friday. The remaining eight finals, for 3-year-olds and older horses, are Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

The 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is the 37th edition of the $6 million event. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the races on YouTube.

Following is the field for the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer 1-Mission Accepted-Chris Page-Ron Burke 2-Majestic Player A-Brett Miller-Walter Haynes Jr. 3-Gimpanzee-Brian Sears-Marcus Melander 4-Reign Of Honor-David Miller-Marcus Melander 5-Atlanta-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke 6-Lindy The Great-Andy Miller-Julie Miller 7-Soul Strong-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt 8-Katkin American-James Yoder-James Yoder 9-Crystal Fashion-Jordan Stratton-Jim Campbell 10-Fiftydallarbill-Trace Tetrick-Luis Quevedo

Fiftydallarbill starts from the second tier.

October 27, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — After watching Venerate become the fastest 2-year-old trotter ever at Harrah’s Hoosier Park by winning his Breeders Crown elimination in 1:52.2 last week, trainer Julie Miller offered a succinct summary of the colt’s effort.

“If he minds his manners and stays focused, that’s the kind of performance we thought he could put in,” Miller said.

Venerate heads to Friday’s $600,000 Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old male trotters with four wins in his last six starts. He went off stride in the two losses.

In addition to capturing his Crown elimination, Venerate’s victories include the inaugural Mohawk Million and the Kentucky Sire Stakes championship. Overall, the son of Love You-Peaceful Kemp has won five of nine races and earned $703,114. He is owned by Pinske Stables and Andy Miller Stable Inc.

Dean Gillette Photo

“He can be his own worst enemy,” Julie Miller said prior to the elimination. “He’s kind of immature mentally and is still trying to figure out what we’re asking of him. He wants to do the right thing, he’s trying to figure it out.”

On Friday, Venerate will start from post five with Andy Miller, Julie’s husband, in the sulky. Venerate is the 8-5 morning-line favorite. Julie and Andy have won one Crown together, with Lucky Jim in the 2009 Open Trot. Andy has a total of five trophies as a driver.

“(Venerate) is the horse to beat in my opinion,” said trainer Marcus Melander, who conditions In Range, the winner of the event’s other elimination. “That’s a great horse.”

In Range won his Crown elimination by a neck over Brookview Bolt in 1:54.1. The colt, by Bar Hopping out of Ilia, has won five of nine races and earned $276,003 for owners AMG Stable, Kenneth Kjellgren, Tomas Hans Asell, and Rick Wahlstedt. He has finished worse than second only once, a sixth-place finish in a division of the Bluegrass Stakes.

Tim Tetrick will drive In Range, starting from post three.

Dean Gillette Photo

“He’s only had one bad race this year, and that was the first week of Lexington, and we didn’t really know what was going on with him that week,” said Melander, who has won two Breeders Crown trophies, both with trotter Gimpanzee.

“Otherwise, he’s been great. You can never count him out because he’s always right there. He’ll be right there with them.”

Friday’s final also includes William Wellwood Memorial winner On A Streak and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Captain Corey, who was undefeated in five races before finishing second to Venerate in their Crown elimination.

“He raced good,” trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt said about Captain Corey, “but Venerate was better.” He added, “We’re not giving up. We’re going to fight (in the final).”

Lisa Photo

Captain Corey is one of two Svanstedt-trained colts in the race. Yannick Gingras will drive Delayed Hanover, who was third in the elimination won by In Range.

“He raced OK, but I expected more of him,” Svanstedt said. “He didn’t come home so good. Maybe it was a long trip (to Hoosier) too close to the race. Now, he is there for a week and can take it easy, so maybe he can be better.”

Jim Campbell also has two finalists, Cricket Fashion and Take All Comers, who punched his ticket to the Breeders Crown by winning a Bluegrass Stakes division on Oct. 2 at Red Mile. The gelding finished third in his Crown elimination, which was won by Venerate.

“I’m very happy with him,” Campbell said. “He was a very confident third. We’ve kind of taken it week to week with him. When we brought him to Lexington, we were going to race him the first week and see how he raced. He went out and raced super and that’s when we decided to go to the Breeders Crown with him. We chose not to race him the second week (in Lexington) intentionally.”

Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts the four $600,000 Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds on Friday. The remaining eight finals, for 3-year-olds and older horses, are Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

The 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is the 37th edition of the $6 million event. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the races on YouTube.

Following is the field for the $600,000 Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old male trotters.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line 1-Take All Comers-David Miller-Jim Campbell-20/1 2-Cricket Fashion-Dexter Dunn-Jim Campbell-20/1 3-In Range-Tim Tetrick-Marcus Melander-6/1 4-On A Streak-Bob McClure-Luc Blais-8/1 5-Venerate-Andy Miller-Julie Miller-8/5 6-Muscle Dynasty-Scott Zeron-Paula Wellwood-30/1 7-Captain Corey-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt-9/5 8-Delayed Hanover-Yannick Gingras-Ake Svanstedt-10/1 9-Moonstone S-Brian Sears-Marcus Melander-30/1 10-Brookview Bolt-Dexter Dunn-Ron Burke-15/1

Brookview Bolt starts from the second tier.

Anderson, IN— October 26, 2020—Post positions were drawn for the remaining fields to complete the line-up for the Breeders Crown Finals on Monday, October 26 at a Post Draw Reception at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The fields for the Open Pace, Open Trot, Three-Year-Old Colt Trot and Three-Year-Old Colt Pace were established. Elimination winners drew from posts one through five with the remainder of the field in an open draw. The Open Pace and Open Trot did not require eliminations and advanced directly to the finals set for Saturday, Oct. 31.

Following are the fields in post position order for the Breeders Crown Finals:

$500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Sectionline Bigry—Steve Bauder

2-Filibuster Hanover—Ron Burke

3-Western Joe—Christopher Choate

4-Dorsoduro Hanover—Ron Burke

5-Sintra—Tyler George

6-Backstreet Shadow—Ron Burke

7-Century Farroh—Dr. Ian Moore

8-Dancin Lou—Tahnee Camilleri

9-Bettor’s Wish—Chris Ryder

10-This Is The Plan—Ron Burke

$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Trot

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Capricornus—Marcus Melander

2-Amigo Volo—R. Nifty Norman

3-Ready For Moni—Nancy Takter

4-Play Trix On Me—Linda Toscano

5-Hill Exotic—Trond Smedshammer

6-Maesteraemon—Marcus Melander

7-Back Of The Neck—Ake Svandstedt

8-Beads—Per Engblom

9-Chestnut Hill—R. Nifty Norman

10-Gangster Hanover—Ake Svandstedt

$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Tall Dark Stranger—Nancy Takter

2-Manticore—Bruce Saunders

3-Cattlewash—Ron Burke

4-Warrawee Vital—Robert Fellows

5-Save Me A Dance—Andrew Harris

6-No Lou Zing—Nancy Takter

7-Captain Barbossa—Tony Alagna

8-Sandbetweenmytoes—Jim Campbell

9-The Greek Freak—Ron Burke

10-Elver Hanover—Ron Burke

$500,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Mission Accepted—Ron Burke

2-Majestic Player A—Walter Haynes Jr.

3-Gimpanzee—Marcus Melander

4-Reign Of Honor—Marcus Melander

5-Atlanta—Ron Burke

6-Lindy The Great—Julie Miller

7-Soul Strong—Ake Svandstedt

8-Katkin American—James Yoder

9-Crystal Fashion—Jim Campbell

10-Fiftydallarbill—Luis Quevedo

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will host the 2020 Breeders Crown Finals on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 with limited spectators, in accordance with the approved health and safety plan for the event.

The four $600,000 two-year-old Breeders Crown finals will be held on Friday with the three-year-old and open events featured on Saturday. Each evening will feature a first post of 6:00 p.m.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the entire Breeders Crown events and live racing cards on YouTube. The live stream broadcast will be part of a week-long coverage leading up to the Breeders Crown finals. Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s social media feeds will also stream the Breeders Crown event week festivities.

The 2020 Breeders Crown event, presented by The Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will be the 37th edition of the $6 million event. For more information on the Breeders Crown or upcoming events at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

Anderson, IN— October 24, 2020—Post positions were drawn on Saturday, October 24 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for the Open Mare Pace, Two-Year-Old Filly Trot, Three-Year-Old Filly Pace, and Three-Year-Old Filly Trot Breeders Crown Finals. Elimination winners drew from posts one through five with the remainder of the field in an open draw.

The Open Mare Pace was the only open event that required an elimination. Rockin Nola and Trillions Hanover received byes and advanced directly to the final. Following are the fields in post position order for the Breeders Crown Finals:

$300,000 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Sweet Lucy Lou—Robert Cleary

2-Rockin Nola—Joe Putnam

3-Kissin In The Sand—Nancy Takter

4-Caviart Ally—Brett Pelling

5-Warrawee Ubeaut--Ron Burke

6-Shartin N—Jim King Jr.

7-Philly Hanover—Robert Don Fellows

8-Treacherous Reign—Tony Alagna

9-Trillions Hanover—Tom Fanning

10-Stonebridge Soul—Chris Ryder

$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Ima Diamond Babe—James Yoder

2-Iteration—Marcus Melander

3-Splash Blue Chip—Ake Svandstedt

4-Mazzarati—Lucas Wallin

5-Lady Chaos—Linda Toscano

6-Hello I Love You—Tony Alagna

7-Big City Pearl—James Yoder

8-Swift Swanda—Erv Miller

9-Gotta Believe—Julie Miller

10-Presto—Ake Svandstedt

$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Pace

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Drama Act—Ron Burke

2-Party Girl Hill—Chris Ryder

3-Lyons Sentinel—Jim King Jr.

4-Peaky Sneaky—Nancy Takter

5-Pettycoat Business—Brian Brown

6-Rocknificent—Linda Toscano

7-JK First Lady—Nancy Takter

8-Lady Lou—Tony Alagna

9-Hen Party—Tony Alagna

10-New Year—Chris Ryder

$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Trot

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Next Level Stuff—Ron Burke

2-Crucial—Chris Ryder

3-May Baby—James Yoder

4-Sorella—Nancy Takter

5-Spoiled Princess—Nancy Takter

6-Ab’s Attitudexpress—Lucas Wallin

7-Hypnotic AM—Marcus Melander

8-Caviart Eva—Nancy Takter

9-Rock Swan—Erv Miller

10-Love A Good Story—Julie Miller

The remaining fields for the Breeders Crown Finals will be drawn at Harrah’s Hoosier Park at a Post Draw Reception on Monday, October 26 at 6pm. In addition to a live stream of the racing cards for the Breeders Crown finals, Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a live stream of the post position draw.

The draw broadcast will be part of a week-long coverage leading up to the Breeders Crown finals. Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s social media feeds will also stream the post position draws and other Breeders Crown event week festivities. The Breeders Crown finals will be drawn in the following order:

Monday, October 26—Post Draw Reception at 6pm:

Open Trot

Open Pace

Three-Year-Old Colt Pace

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will host the 2020 Breeders Crown Finals on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 with limited spectators, in accordance with the approved health and safety plan for the event.

The 2020 Breeders Crown event, presented by The Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will be the 37th edition of the $6 million event. First post for the Breeders Crown eliminations will be 6:30 p.m. (EDT) while post time for the Breeders Crown finals will be 6:00 p.m. (EDT). For more information on the Breeders Crown or upcoming events at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

by Kimberly French, for the Breeders Crown

ANDERSON, Ind. — Capricornus (Tim Tetrick), who was dismissed at odds of 61-1 in the first of two $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday (Oct. 24), collected his first triumph of the season. Kentucky Futurity winner Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn), never truly pressured, tripped the timer in a new track record of 1:51.2 in the second elimination.

EL Ideal (Andy Miller) left sharply from the rail but was outgunned for the early lead by Play Trix On Me (Joe Bongiorno). Play Trix On Me established the first fraction of :26.2, but EL Ideal was not satisfied with not being on the front. He retook the lead before the half-mile marker and clicked off fractions of :56.1 and 1:24.3. As the field turned for home, Play Trix On Me was prepared to challenge while Capicornus remained in sixth — where he had advanced after getting away eighth.

As Ready For Moni (Yannick Gingras), Chestnut Hill (David Miller) and Gangster Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) launched their bids, Tetrick decided it was time to make his move, and Capicornus did not disappoint. As EL Ideal and Play Trix On Me faded from the toll of their earlier efforts, Capricornus trotted with conviction to the wire. He stopped the clock in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2. Chestnut Hill was second and Gangster Hanover was third. Ready For Moni held for fourth and Play Trix On Me just lasted to procure the final spot in the $500,000 final on Saturday (Oct. 31).

Trained by Marcus Melander, Capricornus, a son of Cantab Hall and Oh My Darling, is owned by JJ Racing Stable. He was bred by Windsong Stable. His record now stands at 22-4-5-5, and he has banked more than $250,000. He returned $125.00 to win.

“I liked this horse from last year; today I didn’t even pull him until the top of the lane,” Tetrick said. “He disappointed me all year and has not fulfilled his job, but tonight he did what I thought he could all year and showed his talent. We said if he raced as good as we felt he could, he would win.”

In the second elimination, Amigo Volo left the gate quickly and had an early tussle with Beads (Brian Sears) for the early lead. Amigo Volo shrugged him off and clicked of a quarter mile in :27. Amigo Volo led the field through the half mile in :56.1 and to the three-quarters in 1:24.4. It appeared the only opposition he would encounter would be from Maesteraemon (Tim Tetrick) — who was in third — and Beads in second.

As the horses headed to the wire, Maesteraemon began to close on the outside while Beads sought to challenge on the inside, but Amigo Volo maintained his advantage to the line under minimal urging.

Beads remained in second, three-quarters of a length behind at the finish, Maesteraemon was third and Back Of The Neck (Åke Svenstedt) came from well back to be fourth. Hillexotic (Andy Miller) earned the last position in the final.

Trained by Richard “Nifty” Norman, the son of Father Patrick and Margarita Momma is owned by Pinske Stables and David J. Miller. He was bred by Kentuckiana Farms and Jorgen Jahre Jr.

Amigo Volo, last year’s Breeders Crown winner for his age, sex and gait, now has a record of 25-13-3-2 and has earned more than $1.2 million. He paid $3.20 to win.

When asked about his improvement since a fourth-place finish in this year’s Hambletonian, Dunn had a positive response.

“He was great in the Hambo,” he said. “He just didn’t have a lot of luck. He’s done very well since that race. He was very good again tonight and worked hard all the way to the finish.”

October 24, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, for Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Bettor’s Wish and Gimpanzee prepared for next week’s Breeders Crown finals with wins in their respective $25,000 invitational races Saturday (Oct. 24) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

The Breeders Crown Open Pace, Open Trot and Mare Trot did not require eliminations, so the invitationals were an opportunity to get a start prior to next Saturday’s finals.

Bettor’s Wish won the invitational pace, a seven-horse field with four Breeders Crown finalists, by three-quarters of a length over Brassy Hanover in 1:50.2. Century Farroh finished third.

The Breeders Crown finalists in the race were Bettor’s Wish, Century Farroh, Sectionline Bigry (fourth) and Dancin Lou (sixth). Last year, Bettor’s Wish finished second by a head to Dancin Lou in the Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male pacers.

Gimpanzee won the invitational trot, a seven-horse field with six Breeders Crown finalists, by 1-3/4 lengths over Manchego in 1:52. Majestic Player A finished third.

The Breeders Crown finalists in the race were Gimpanzee, Manchego, Majestic Player A, Lindy The Great (fourth), Fiftydallarbill (fifth) and Reign Of Honor (seventh).

In the invitational pace, Bettor’s Wish and driver Dexter Dunn were fourth as Century Farroh led the field to the quarter in :26.2 and half in :55.4. Bettor’s Wish made his move heading to the final turn and was a half length from the leader when they reached three-quarters in 1:24.4. Bettor’s Wish came home in :25.3 to get the win.

“He’s such a gutsy horse, his attitude is amazing, and makes my job easy because he’s so versatile,” Dunn said. “It’s not an easy move (from age 3 to 4), but you know he’s going to go out there and give you 100%. He’s stepped up very good.”

Chris Ryder trains Bettor’s Wish, a son of Bettor’s Delight out of Lifetime Star. The 4-year-old has won five of 10 races this season, earning $382,232. For his career, he has won 23 of 41 starts and $2.29 million. He is owned by Ryder, Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm and Bettor’s Wish Partners. He was bred by Brittany Farms.

Bettor’s Wish will stand at Diamond Creek Farm of Pennsylvania in 2021.

“I’ll miss him, that’s for sure,” Dunn said. “He’s like an old mate. I’ll definitely miss him, but I’m looking forward to see what he can produce on the racetrack once he becomes a stud.”

Bettor’s Wish, the 4-5 favorite, paid $3.60 to win.

In the invitational trot, Lindy The Great set the fractions — :27, :56.3 and 1:25.2 — while Gimpanzee and driver Brian Sears bided their time in third behind Reign Of Honor. Once in the stretch, Gimpanzee took control and cruised to victory. Manchego, who was sixth until well into the stretch, charged late with a :25.1 last quarter to get the place spot.

The 4-year-old Gimpanzee, trained by Marcus Melander, is a two-time Breeders Crown champion. With a victory next week, he would join Mack Lobell as the only male trotters to win trophies at ages 2, 3 and 4.

Gimpanzee has won seven of 10 races this year and $728,464. For his career, he has won 24 of 33 races and $2.44 million. He is owned by Courant Inc. and S R F Stable. The son of Chapter Seven and Steamy Windows was bred by Order By Stable.

Sent off as the even money favorite, Gimpanzee paid $4.20 to win.

October 24, 2020, by Ray Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Odds-on choice Kissin In The Sand bested reigning Horse of the Year Shartin N in the final strides of the lone $25,000 Breeders Crown elimination for pacing mares on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Floating for position from post nine, Kissin In The Sand found a spot in fourth as Shartin N slid to the lead past a :27.1 first quarter. Warrawee Ubeaut rode the pocket up the backside with Treacherous Reign third. Meanwhile, driver Dexter Dunn waited to move Kissin In The Sand past a :56.2 half.

Rounding the final turn, Dunn gave marching orders to the 4-5 betting choice, rolled toward Shartin N by three-quarters in 1:23.4, and stayed at her side through the stretch drive. Shartin N kept Kissin In The Sand at bay until the final sixteenth, where the 5-year-old Somebeachsomewhere mare slid to a three-quarter length advantage to win in 1:49.4. Shartin N settled for second with Warrawee Ubeaut giving pursuit up the passing lane for third and Treacherous Reign behind the top three in fourth.

“She’s been a good mare — you know, she was a good 2-year-old, good 3-year-old, 4-year-old, 5-year-old, so she’s just super tough,” trainer Nancy Takter said after the race. “The best part is going to be that she’s not going to have the nine-hole in the final now.”

A winner on six occasions from 10 starts this year and 25 times in 56 starts overall, Kissin In The Sand has earned $1,519,094 for owners Marvin Katz and Hatfield Stables. She paid $3.60 to win.

With Rockin Nola and Trillions Hanover opting for byes to the $300,000 final, Philly Hanover, Caviart Ally, Sweet Lucy Lou and Stonebridge Soul — who finished fifth through eighth, respectively — will also advance.

Post positions were drawn for the 2020 Breeders Crown Mare Pace on Saturday night.

The field of 10 distaff pacers, and their trainers, that will contest the $300,000 final are as follows:

1. Sweet Lucy Lou (Robert Clery) 2. Rockin Nola (Joe Putnam) 3. Kissin In The Sand (Nancy Takter) 4. Caviart Ally (Brett Pelling) 5. Warrawee Ubeaut (Ron Burke) 6. Shartin N (Jim King Jr.) 7. Philly Hanover (Robert Don Fellows) 8. Treacherous Reign (Tony Alagna) 9. Trillions Hanover (Tom Fanning) 10. Stonebridge Soul (Chris Ryder)

October 24, 2020, by Frank Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Charging to his 11th win of the season, Tall Dark Stranger and regular driver Yannick Gingras fought off a late charge by Warraee Vital to win the second Breeders Crown elimination for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings in 1:48.4 on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. In the first elimination, Cattlewash equaled the all-age Hoosier track record with a 1:47.2 performance.

Warrawee Vital tried to get a hold of the pace right off of the gate, leaving quickly and taking the lead over Captain Barbossa, with Tall Dark Stranger dropping in third into a fiery :25.4 first panel.

Gingras shifted to the overland route to take over the lead, guiding the other six colts to three-quarters in 1:23. From the back, Captain Kirk failed to sustain an outer-tier advance while Elver Hanover stayed in fourth. Meanwhile, the original trio in front wrestled for the finish line.

Warrawee Vital came out gallantly down the center of the track for a charge at Tall Dark Stranger, making Gingras urge the leader to shake off the challenger — as he has done through the season when faced with a possible duel to the wire. Tall Dark Stranger responded again with a :25.4 closing quarter, winning by a neck in 1:48.4.

Captain Barbossa held on for third, while Elver Hanover and Sandbetweenmytoes followed to make the final.

“I just trust [Tall Dark Stranger] and let him fight off horses in the stretch,” Gingras said. “Last week in Lexington, I knew he was in the best shape he’s ever been.”

Nancy Takter trains the James Avritt-bred son of Bettor’s Delight and Precocious Beauty. Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor own Tall Dark Stranger, who paid $2.20 to win.

Leaving fast and finishing faster, Cattlewash won the first 3-year-old colt pacing Breeders Crown elimination. The mile, clocked in 1:47.2, equaled the all-age track record and set a sophomore colt pacing mark.

Driver David Miller left alertly from the rail with Cattlewash and rebuffed an early outside challenge from No Lou Zing, who settled in second through a :26 first quarter. Long shot The Greek Freak followed in third and favorite Capt Midnight sat in fourth.

Miller sat comfortably with Cattlewash as he cut a :54.1 half. Heading into three-quarters, Capt Midnight took to the outside and started a strenuous chase for the leader, but one that saw him fade as Cattlewash excelled to three-quarters in 1:20.3.

Allywag Hanover took his shot off the sizzling third panel and swung wide into the stretch, but he could not rally off weakening cover. Meanwhile, Cattlewash remained strong to the line, holding off No Lou Zing by 1-1/2 lengths. The Greek Freak, who drafted behind the leading pair, finished third, followed by Save Me A Dance and Manticore.

“He’s real sharp right now,” David Miller said, adding that he had no strategy when leaving from post one. “If a lot of horses left, I would’ve raced him differently, but no one did … It’s an awfully long stretch, but he [was going easily].”

Cattlewash, a son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Road Bet, is trained by Ron Burke for owner and breeder William Donovan. He paid $7.80 to win.

October 24, 2020, by Emily Gaskin, for Harrah's Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Post positions were drawn on Friday (Oct. 23) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for the Open Mare Trot, Two-Year-Old Colt Trot, Two-Year-Old Filly Pace, and Two-Year-Old Colt Pace Breeders Crown Finals. Elimination winners drew from posts one through five with the remainder of the field in an open draw.

In the two-year-old pacing filly ranks, elimination winners Continualou and JK Alwaysbealady drew post one and two respectively. Continualou provided the biggest upset of the evening after pacing home in :26 to score at odds of 92-1 and claim the first of two $25,000 eliminations with David Miller in the bike.

Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt Perfect Sting remained undefeated with an impressive performance in the second of two $25,000 eliminations for the Breeders Crown Juvenile pacing colts and geldings for trainer Joe Holloway. Southwind Gendry also continued his winning ways as he delivered as the heavy betting favorite in the first elimination for freshman pacing colts. Perfect Sting and Southwind Gendry will line up right next to each other in the $600,000 Final on Friday (Oct. 30), drawing post two and three respectively.

On the trotting side, elimination winners In Range and Venerate drew post three and five, respectively for their $600,000 final.

Following are the fields in post position order for the Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Finals:

$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Pace

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Continualou–Ron Burke

2-JK Alwaysbalady-Nancy Takter

3-Caviart Audrey-Nancy Takter

4-Paulas Bet Hanover-Ron Burke

5-Scarlett Hanover–Ron Burke

6-Blue Diamond Eyes—Ron Burke

7-Fire Start Hanover—R. Nifty Norman

8-Nashville Elgenna—Tony Alagna

9-Notorious Pink–Tony Alagna

10-Somethingbeautiful—Dylan Davis

$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Take All Comers—Jim Campbell

2-Cricket Fashion—Jim Campbell

3-In Range—Marcus Melander

4-On A Streak—Luc Blais

5-Venerate—Julie Miller

6-Muscle Dynasty—Paula Wellwood

7-Captain Corey—Ake Svandstedt

8-Zenith Stride—Mark Harder

9-Delayed Hanover—Ake Svandstedt

10-Brookview Bolt—Ron Burke

$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Pace

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Jk Going West—LeWayne Miller

2-Perfect Sting—Joe Holloway

3-Southwind Gendry—Ron Burke

4-Always A Miki—Nancy Takter

5-Bayfield Beach—Brian Brown

6-Summa Cum Laude—Ron Burke

7-Abuckabett Hanover—Tony Alagna

8-Caviart Lotus—Nancy Takter

9-Captains Place—John Ackley

10-Literl Lad Hanover—Ron Burke

The Open Mare Trot did not require an elimination and all entrants advanced to the final slated for Saturday, October 31.

$300,000 Breeders Crown Open Mare Trot

PP-Horse-Trainer

1-Weslynn Quest—Christopher Beaver

2-Conway Kellyanne—Daryl Bontrager

3-Pat Matters—R.Nifty Norman

4-When Dovescry—Brett Pelling

5-Plunge Bluechip—Ake Svandstedt

6-Felicity Shagwell—Ake Svandstedt

7-Manchego—Nancy Takter

8-Grand Swan—LeWayne Miller

Five Breeders Crown eliminations will highlight the Saturday (Oct. 24) program at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The remaining divisions will be drawn as follows:

Saturday, October 24—following the final elimination race:

Open Mare PaceTwo-Year-Old Filly TrotThree-Year-Old Filly PaceThree-Year-Old Filly Trot

Monday, October 26—Post Draw Reception at 6 p.m.:

Open TrotOpen PaceThree-Year-Old Colt PaceThree-Year-Old Colt Trot

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will host the 2020 Breeders Crown Finals on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 with limited spectators, in accordance with the approved health and safety plan for the event.

October 23, 2020, by Ray Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Spoiled Princess carved a path towards the lead and powered to the front in the final strides to score in the first $25,000 elimination for the Breeders Crown 3-year-old filly trot on Friday (Oct. 23) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Sister Sledge slid to the lead from post five as Sorella rolled alongside and soon moved to the lead by a :26.4 opening quarter. Hypnotic AM, positioned third, pulled from the pylons to circle to the lead before a :57 half, seating Sorella into the pocket and shuffling Sister Sledge to third.

At that point, driver Dexter Dunn angled Spoiled Princess first-over from fifth and began marching towards Hypnotic AM trotting to three-quarters in 1:26.2. Off the turn, Spoiled Princess drew to equal terms with the leader and stuck a head in front charging for the finish, maintaining that margin in progress to a 1:53 victory over Hypnotic AM with Sorella finishing third. Rock Swan and May Baby round out the first-elimination finalists.

“She felt great sitting fifth there, and she felt even better when I moved her off the helmet and came first-over,” Dunn said after the race. “She’s really strong right now and she was good to the finish.”

Bred by Robert McNerney and Hauser Brothers Racing Entertainment LLC, Spoiled Princess collected her fifth win from 12 starts this season and her eighth from 21 overall, earning $171,136. Nancy Takter conditions the daughter of Trixton for owners Black Horse Racing and Christina Takter. She paid $7.40 to win.

Next Level Stuff lunged to the lead through the open stretch to take the other elimination for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Whose Blues protected position from the pylon post to a :26.4 first quarter, but yielded for the pocket as Ab’sattitudexpress rolled towards the top approaching the backstretch. Next Level Stuff trotted third to a :58 half and raced locked at the pylons into the final turn as Caviart Eva pulled first-over but stalled.

Ab’sattitudexpress continued unchallenged to three-quarters in 1:26.4, but faced pressure as Whose Blues popped pocket straightening for the finish. Next Level Stuff had a seam to slide closer to the leader and, as Whose Blues went on a gallop, dove into the passing lane to take aim at the pacesetter late and edge by in the final strides of a 1:53.4 mile. Love A Good Story, the 3-2 favorite, rallied for third, while Caviart Eva and Crucial completed the finalists.

Winning her sixth race from 12 starts this season and her 12th from 22 overall, Next Level Stuff has banked $396,816 for owner-breeder Runthetable Stable. Tim Tetrick drove the Jim Campbell-trained Sebastian K S filly, who paid $6.00 to win.

October 23, 2020, by Kimberly French, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — After throwing down a :25.1 final quarter, Party Girl Hill (Dexter Dunn) kept her perfect record intact after tripping the timer in 1:50.1 in the first of two $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Oct. 23). Lyons Sentinel (Tim Tetrick) made a late bid to hit the wire in front in 1:49.4 in the second elimination.

Party Girl Hill coasted along in third as Peaky Sneaky (Yannick Gingras) held the lead right from the start and Rocknificent (Scott Zeron) tracked in second. Sneaky Peaky set fractions of :25.4, :56.3 and 1:24.3, and shortly after they rounded the final turn in the mile, Party Girl Hill was given her cue. The daughter of Captaintreacherous and Rocklamation bore down on the leader and passed a valiant Peaky Sneaky to improve her resume to 14-14-0-0 and her bankroll to more than $745,000. Drama Act (Matt Kakaley) got up for third, with Rocknificent coming home fourth. Pettycoat Business (Trace Tetrick) collected the last spot in the $500,000 final next Saturday (Oct. 31).

Trained by Chris Ryder, Party Girl Hill competes as a homebred for owner Tom Hill. The winner paid $2.20.

“She’s a phenomenal filly,” Ryder said. “I feel confident going into next weekend, although there are some tremendous horses here. She has many qualities. She’s got class. She’s got speed and she can relax. She’s got it all. She is versatile and takes everything that comes at her. I think not racing her last year helped her. She is doing as well as a horse can do this year. She only has the Matron left (after the Breeders Crown final), but we haven’t talked about it whether she will race in it.”

Lyons Sentinel was allowed to float off the gate as Hen Party (Andrew McCarthy) went straight to the front. After Hen Party led the field of seven through the first quarter mile in a sizzling :25.2, Priceless (Andy Miller) was hot on her hooves, as was Baby Your The Best (David Miller). Miller decided it was time for Priceless to set the fractions and pulled her, placing Hen Party in the pocket. The Indiana champion set standards of :55.2 and 1:23.3 before the other fillies came to her as they hit the stretch.

JK First Lady assumed command in mid-stretch and seemed to be home free as Priceless faded. That’s when Lyons Sentinel was just gearing up. Loaded with pace, the filly had been sitting in sixth for most of the mile but moved into fourth turning for home. After catching JK First Lady, Lyons Sentinel dueled with that rival before putting her away in late stretch. New Year (Dunn) passed Hen Party, who was fourth, to be third. Lady Lou (Joe Bongiorno) nailed down the final spot in the final, finishing fifth.

A daughter of Captaintreacherous and Tutu Hanover, Lyons Sentinel was the slight favorite over JK First Lady and returned $3.60. She is trained by Jim King Jr. and owned by Threelyonsracing.

October 23, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Mazzarati, a 24-1 long shot, motored down the stretch to win the first of Friday’s (Oct. 23) two $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 2-year-old filly trotters in a lifetime best 1:54.3 and Lady Chaos captured the second in 1:54.2, both over a sloppy surface at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

The top five finishers from each elimination advance to the $600,000 final on Oct. 30 at Hoosier Park.

Joining Mazzarati in the final from the first elim were Gotta Believe, Splash Blue Chip, Iteration and Ima Diamond Babe. Donna Soprano, the 3-5 favorite, went off stride behind the gate and third choice You Ato Dream made a break on the first turn. Beautiful Game also made a break.

Joining Lady Chaos in the final from the second elim were Presto, Swift Swanda, Big City Pearl and Hello I Love You. Flawless Country, the morning line favorite, was scratched.

In the first elimination, Mazzarati and driver Tim Tetrick were third as Iteration, with Brian Sears in the sulky, led the field through fractions of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:26.2. As the group turned for home, Mazzarati hit another gear and sped home to victory by 1-1/4 lengths over Andy Miller-driven Gotta Believe, who was sent off at 50-1. Åke Svanstedt’s Splash Blue Chip was third.

Lucas Wallin trains Mazzarati for owners Mazza Racing Stables and Stormi and Bruiser Stable. Mazzarati, by Cantab Hall out of Falls For You, has won four of nine races this season and earned $83,785. She was bred by Fair Winds Farm.

Mazzarati paid $50.80 to win.

In the second elimination, Lady Chaos and driver David Miller sat second as Dexter Dunn guided May Karp to fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:26.4. Presto, the 8-5 favorite driven by Yannick Gingras, came first-over from fifth to take the lead, but was unable to hold off Lady Chaos in the stretch.

Lady Chaos, the 5-2 second choice, won by three-quarters of a length over Presto. Swift Swanda, with Trace Tetrick, finished third.

“I was really happy with her,” said Linda Toscano, who trains Lady Chaos for owners Richard Gutnick, Tom Pontone, Joseph Lozito Jr. and Enviro Stables. “David gave her a really good trip and she finished up good. She was sick her last start in Lexington and we opted to not race her the second week, and so far it looks like it’s paid off.

“I have a lot of confidence in the filly. She’s been a pleasure all the way through.”

Lady Chaos, the Kentucky Sire Stakes champion and Peaceful Way Stakes runner-up, has won five of nine races this season and earned $260,803. A daughter of Cantab Hall out of Strong Legacy, she was bred by Lindy Farms of Connecticut and AV & Son Bloodstock.

Lady Chaos paid $7.80 to win.

October 23, 2020, by Frank Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Venerate produced a wire-to-wire domination of the field in the second $25,000 Breeders Crown elimination for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Friday (Oct. 23) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, leading all the way with ease to win in 1:52.2 — a track record for freshman trotters.

Driver Andy Miller wasted no time taking the lead with Venerate off the gate in the sloppy going, seating favorite Captain Corey in the pocket. Outsider Capstone dropped into third with Dancinginthedark M following in fourth through the :27.1 first quarter.

Nothing changed as Venerate glided on the lead effortlessly to cut the half in :56 and three-quarters in 1:25.1. Meanwhile, Captain Corey went to the outside in an attempt to catch the leader. Venerate pounded onward with no concern for the following favorite, as those two drew many lengths ahead of the others.

Dancinginthedark M, looking to pick up third, broke stride and backed up, leaving a path for Take All Comers to get the show spot and Muscles Dynasty to finish fourth. Zenith Stride finished fifth.

Venerate’s divisional track record mile was only one-fifth of a second off the all-age trotting record at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Venerate is by the French sire Love You and out of the Muscle Hill mare Peaceful Kemp. The Julie Miller trainee was bred by Steve Stewart and Kemppi Stable and is owned by the Pinske Stable and Andy Miller Stable. He paid $7.00 to win.

In the heat of the stretch, In Range flew on the outside past a breaking leader to finish a hair ahead of a fast-closing Brookview Bolt in the first elimination.

The two favorites, Delayed Hanover and Cuatro De Julio, left quickly to take the first two spots off the gate and reach the quarter in :26.3. Moonstone S, who dropped into third early, broke stride going to the half, allowing Brookview Bolt to inherit third and In Range to roll along in fourth.

While Cuatro De Julio led the field to three-quarters in 1:26.4, Tim Tetrick steered In Range to the outside for a charge into the stretch. Losing some ground but still ahead, Cuatro De Julio began to gallop and back up. From mid-stretch, Brookview Bolt got going, only to meet In Range at the wire and miss by a neck.

The 1:54.1 win was a career best for In Range, a son of Bar Hopping and Ilia bred by the Windsong Stable. In Range is trained by Marcus Melander for owners AMG Stable, Kenneth Kjellgren, Tomas Hans Asell and Rick Wahlstedt. In Range paid $14.00 to win.

“The track was playing fair,” Tetrick said after the race.

Delayed Hanover finished third, and On A Streak was fourth. Cuatro De Julio, who finished fifth, was disqualified and demoted to seventh, elevating Cricket Fashion to the official fifth place.

October 23, 2020, by Kimberly French, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Continualou (David Miller), at odds of 92-1, strode home with a :26 final panel to claim the first of two $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Oct. 23). JK Alwaysbalady (Yannick Gingras) got up in the shadow of the wire to take the second elimination and collect the second win of her young career.

Continualou was placed in second after leaving the starting gate and remained there through the :27.2 first quarter established by Caviart Audrey (Gingras). Fire Start Hanover (Dexter Dunn) was gunned to the lead from third with Caviart Audrey remaining in the pocket spot and Continualou tracking in third. Fire Start Hanover led the field through fractions of :57.1 and 1:25 heading into the stretch. Caviart Audrey appeared poised to strike as the fillies turned for home, however Continualou had other plans. The daughter of Sweet Lou and Continual Velocity surged past Fire Start Hanover in mid-stretch to stop the clock in 1:51.4. Fire Start Hanover held for second, 1-3/4 lengths behind, with Paulas Bet Hanover passing Caviart Audrey for third. The favorite, Indiana Sires Stakes champion Somethingbeautiful (Tim Tetrick), failed to fire and was fifth.

The top five finishers advance to the $600,000 final on Oct. 30.

Conditioned by Ron Burke, Continualou is a homebred for the Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. The filly’s record now improves to 11-3-2-0 and she has now banked more than $140,000.

“She is a homebred and we own her sire and her dam,” said co-owner and co-breeder Mark Weaver. “It’s always special when you win a race like this with a homebred. David (Miller) put her in a perfect position, and everything just worked out for her. Yes, I did think those odds were a little long. Of course, if I had bet on her, she would have went off a lot lower. But when I asked Ronnie (Burke) earlier this week about which horses were doing well here, he mentioned two and she was one of them. You never know how a horse is going to like this track and she sure seemed to.”

Continualou paid $186.00 to win.

JK Alwaysbalady (Gingras) got up in the shadow of the wire to outlast Scarlett Hanover (Matt Kakaley) and Notorious Pink (Tim Tetrick) and take the second $25,000 elimination for her age, gait and sex. It is the second win of her young career.

The daughter of Horses of the Year Always B Miki and JK She’salady settled into fifth after leaving the gate. Thebeachiscalling shot to the lead and set a swift first fraction of :25.3. Notorious Pink was the first to move from fourth and procured the lead shortly before the half-mile marker. Notorious Pink continued to top the field through fractions of :55.1 and 1:23. But Scarlett Hanover was prepared to challenge her rival as the field headed for home and Notorious Pink seemed to slightly shorten stride.

In the middle of the stretch, JK Alwaysbalady was placed on the outside to commence her bid. She closed stoutly and bested Scarlett Hanover by a head in 1:51. Notorious Pink held for third, with Blue Diamond Eyes fourth and Nashville Elgenna fifth.

Trained by Nancy Takter, JK Alwaysbalady races as a homebred for 3 Brothers Stables. Her resume now stands at 8-2-2-2 and she has now earned more than $75,000.

“We were thrilled we got one in, let alone two (fillies in the Breeders Crown elims out of the same dam),” said Alan Katz, who operates the stable with his brothers Ron and Steve. “It’s been a blessing owning them. We’ve got two stallions and we’re thrilled to be here.

“She’s getting better and better. She was lazy and starting to get to it, which is the complete opposite of her older sister (JK First Lady). We wouldn’t sell her unless we get out of the business.”

October 23, 2020, by Jay Bergman, for the Breeders Crown

Anderson, IN — Perfect Sting remained perfect on the season with an authoritative performance in the second of two $25,000 eliminations for the Breeders Crown juvenile pacing colt and gelding division on Friday night (Oct. 23) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Southwind Gendry continued his successful stakes winning streak as well, capturing the first $25,000 elimination to notch his seventh straight win.

Perfect Sting, the royally-bred son of champions Always B Miki and Shebestingin, scored effortlessly in 1:50.4, leaving pocket-sitting rival Summa Cum Laude four lengths behind at the wire.

Driver David Miller left for early placement, allowing Bayfield Beach to claim the early lead with Summa Cum Laude and Yannick Gingras getting parked past the :26.3 opening quarter to take control. At that point, Miller gunned Perfect Sting to the front and cleared before reaching the half mile in :55.1.

The Joe Holloway trainee was in relaxation mode the third quarter, leading the field through a pedestrian :29.2 fraction. While, some 13 days earlier, rival Summa Cum Laude nearly defeated Perfect Sting at Lexington while on the lead, that foe proved powerless to keep contact with Perfect Sting — who effortlessly expanded his lead to 3-3/4 lengths with a :26.1 final quarter over a rain-soaked surface rated sloppy.

The biggest battle was for the place spot, as Always A Miki cleared road trouble in mid-stretch and just missed catching Summa Cum Laude for second. Abuckabett Hanover and driver Andy McCarthy made a furious rally and was lapped on that pair, but settled for fourth. Early leader Bayfield Beach claimed the final qualifying berth.

Owned and bred by Brittany Farms (Geoge Segal) and Val D’Or Farms (Martin Granoff), Perfect Sting has won all nine of his career starts.

Southwind Gendry continued his successful stakes winning streak in capturing the first $25,000 elimination. Yannick Gingras guided the gelding from the first crop of Always B Miki to an impressive 1:51 victory.

Indiana Sires Stakes champion J K Going West and driver LeWayne Miller pushed the early tempo, clearing the lead ahead of Captains Place in a :27 first quarter while Gingras got away in third position with the 2-5 favorite Southwind Gendry. Coming off the bend, Southwind Gendry made a methodical move up the backstretch to gain control while hardly stressed through a :56.4 first half.

Gingras didn’t allow an outer flow to develop as he picked up the pace with Southwind Gendry, making others work through three quarters in 1:25.1. It was essentially a one-horse race from there, as the Ron Burke trainee hit high gear and powered through a wind-aided :25.4 final quarter to complete the mile in 1:51.

Caviart Lotus and driver Tim Tetrick rallied late for the place spot, three lengths back, with early leader J K Going West along for third. Literl Lad Hanover and Captains Place completed the top five to qualify for the final.

It was the ninth victory in 11 starts this year — and the seventh in a row — for Southwind Gendry. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Phil Collura, Knox Services, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Southwind Gendry was bred by Southwind Farms.

“He’s got a high gear,” said Gingras in the winner’s circle. “I’m really looking forward to next week.”

October 22, 2020, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Jamie Macomber has fond memories of the first time Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosted the Breeders Crown in 2017. Now, with the event back again at the Indiana oval the trainer calls her home track, she would enjoy creating more.

Macomber won a Breeders Crown trophy three years ago with 3-year-old male pacer Beckhams Z Tam, who stormed down the stretch and bested eventual Pacer of the Year Downbytheseaside by a quarter-length. This time, her hopes rest with a 3-year-old male trotter, Swan In Motion.

Swan In Motion races Saturday in the first of two eliminations for the 3-year-old colt-and-gelding trotters. He will start from post seven in a field of nine with Ricky Macomber Jr. in the sulky and is 12-1 on the morning line. Ready For Moni, the Zweig Memorial and Goodtimes Stakes winner, is the 3-1 favorite.

Hoosier hosts $25,000 eliminations for 3-year-old male pacers and trotters as well as older female pacers on Saturday. Eliminations for 2-year-olds and 3-year-old fillies are Friday. Elims were unnecessary for the Open Pace, Open Trot, and Mare Trot.

Swan In Motion has won six of 10 races this season and heads to his Breeders Crown elimination off a win in last week’s Indiana Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old male trotters. The colt began his campaign with five consecutive victories before being slowed by a few minor issues but appears back to top form. He kicked home in a race-best :27.2 last week and won in a career-best 1:53.1.

“I feel pretty confident,” Macomber said. “I think he’s going in the right direction leading up to it. If you asked me a month ago, I might not have been so confident. But I’m more confident now. I think he is back to normal.”

Macomber trains Swan In Motion for M & M Racing and Norbert Joseph Maza. The son of Swan For All-Keystone Sadie has won eight of 21 career races and $396,845.

“I think his best quality is his ability to trot home fast,” Macomber said about Swan In Motion, who three times this year trotted his last quarter in :26.3 or faster. “And he’s got heart. Hopefully, his heart and his speed can take us where we need to be.”

Dean Gillette Photography.

The top-five finishers from each of the two eliminations advance to the $500,000 final next week at Hoosier Park. Elimination winners draw for posts one through five.

When Macomber won the Breeders Crown in 2017, she was in her first full season with her own stable after spending 10 years running Ron Burke’s Indiana outpost. She shared the Hoosier Park training title that year and is tied for second this season.

“I have awesome memories of that Breeders Crown,” Macomber said. “Hopefully, we can make those same memories again.

“Could it happen two times? Let’s hope.”

Amigo Volo, a returning Breeders Crown champion and fresh off his win in the Kentucky Futurity, is the 8-5 favorite in the second elimination for 3-year-old male trotters. The gelding has won four of his last five starts, with only a second-place finish to Back Of The Neck keeping him from an unbeaten string. Back Of The Neck is the 5-2 second choice in the second elim.

The most recent male trotter to win Breeders Crown trophies at ages 2 and 3 was Gimpanzee, who did it last year.

There also are two eliminations Saturday for 3-year-old male pacers, with the top-five finishers from each advancing to the final. Stakes-winner Capt Midnight is the 5-2 favorite in the first, which also includes Adios winner Catch The Fire, world-record-equaling Cattlewash, and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champ No Lou Zing.

In the second elimination, returning Breeders Crown champion Tall Dark Stranger is the 3-5 favorite. Tall Dark Stranger is the No. 1-ranked horse in harness racing, with 10 wins in 11 races. His victories include the Meadowlands Pace, North America Cup, and Cane Pace. The elimination also includes Little Brown Jug winner Captain Barbossa and stakes-winner Warrawee Vital.

The most recent male pacer to win Breeders Crown titles at ages 2 and 3 was Artiscape in 1997-1998.

Only one elimination is necessary for the Mare Pace, where the top-eight finishers will join bye recipients Trillions Hanover and Rockin Nola in the final. Kissin In The Sand, on a four-race winning streak that includes the Milton, Dayton Distaff Derby, and Allerage Mare Pace, is the 8-5 favorite. Shartin N, last season’s Horse of the Year, is 9-5.

Caviart Ally, who won last year’s Breeders Crown Mare Pace, is 9-2. The most recent pacing mare to repeat as champ was Shelliscape in 2013-2014.

In addition, the elim includes Warrawee Ubeaut, who won Breeders Crown titles at ages 2 and 3. She is attempting to become the first 3-year-old female pacing champion to win at 4. If successful in winning a third Breeders Crown trophy, she would tie the record for a pacer, shared by Jenna’s Beach Boy, Eternal Camnation, and My Little Dragon.

Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. For Saturday’s complete entries, click here.

Anderson, IN— October 22, 2020—Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will host a weekend of world-class harness racing as the 2020 Breeders Crown, presented by The Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will begin with eliminations on Friday, October 23. Twelve Breeders Crown eliminations for varying age groups of both gaits and genders will highlight Friday’s live racing action while five eliminations will be featured on Saturday's live racing card. The sport’s best trotters and pacers will be looking to secure a spot in next weekend’s lucrative finals.

The Open Pace, Open Trot and Mare Trot did not require eliminations and will go directly to the finals on Sat. Oct. 31.

There were 61 two-year-olds entered, resulting in $25,000 eliminations in all divisions for Friday, Oct. 23. All of the two-year-old finals will carry a purse of $600,000.

There were 61 three-year-olds entered, resulting in $25,000 eliminations in all divisions with the fillies racing on Friday, Oct. 23 and the colts on Saturday, Oct. 24. All of the three-year-old finals will feature a purse of $500,000.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a free live high-definition streaming of the Breeders Crown Finals and eliminations cards. The live stream will be available on YouTube along with a link available on Harrah's Hoosier Park's website. In addition to a live stream of the racing cards, Harrah’s Hoosier Park will provide a live stream of the post position draws.

The draw broadcast will be part of a week-long coverage leading up to the Breeders Crown finals, including the Breeders Crown post draw reception which will be held on Monday, October 26 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park at 6pm. Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s social media feeds will also stream the post position draws and other Breeders Crown event week festivities. The Breeders Crown finals will be drawn in the following order:

Friday, October 23—following the final elimination race:

Open Mare Trot

Two-Year-Old Colt Pace

Two-Year-Old Colt Trot

Two-Year-Old Filly Pace

Saturday, October 24—following the final elimination race:

Open Mare Pace

Two-Year-Old Filly Trot

Three-Year-Old Filly Pace

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot

Monday, October 26—Post Draw Reception at 6pm:

Open Trot

Open Pace

Three-Year-Old Colt Pace

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will host the 2020 Breeders Crown Finals on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 with limited spectators, in accordance with the approved health and safety plan for the event.

The 2020 Breeders Crown event, presented by The Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will be the 37th edition of the $6 million event. First post for the Breeders Crown eliminations will be 6:30 p.m. (EDT) while post time for the Breeders Crown finals will be 6:00 p.m. (EDT). For more information on the Breeders Crown or upcoming events at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

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