2022 Breeders Crown

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - America’s Day at the Races, the acclaimed national television show produced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) in conjunction with FOX Sports, will present live coverage of the Breeders Crown on Friday and Saturday from Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario.

The $7 million Breeders Crown, harness racing’s richest and most prestigious year-end divisional championship series, will air Friday on FS2 beginning at 9 p.m. with coverage to continue on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Jessica Otten will anchor the Friday broadcast from Woodbine Mohawk Park, which will include four 2-year-old Breeders Crown events. Acacia Clement and Anthony Stabile will provide additional reporting and analysis from Aqueduct Racetrack.

On Saturday, Breeders Crown coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m., and include eight Breeders Crown contests. The broadcast will kick off with the $350,000 Mare Trot, which will be triple millionaire Atlanta’s final attempt at a Breeders Crown before retirement and wrap up with the sport’s fastest racehorse, Bulldog Hanover, whose 1:45.4 mile this summer stunned the harness world.

The Breeders Crown is a year-end championship series of races for trotters and pacers, divided by the traditional categories of age, gender and gait—showcasing the stars of the Standardbred sport. A Crown title is a conclusive factor in Horse of the Year and all divisional Dan Patch balloting.

“We had a great opportunity in 2021 when the Breeders Crown events were raced in the daytime at The Meadowlands to participate in the relationship The Meadowlands started with NYRA and FOX Sports,” said John Campbell, president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society which owns and administers the Breeders Crown.

“There is more and more crossover wagering and interest between the two breeds and we are eager to continue that. We greatly appreciate the support of Woodbine Mohawk Park and Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) as broadcast sponsor in continuing the tradition of live TV that Breeders Crown has enjoyed over the 39 years of the series."

October 28, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Milton, ON — Allywag Hanover added to his list of record-setting accomplishments when he became only the fourth pacer in history to win a race in 1:46 or faster as he upset Bulldog Hanover earlier this month in the Allerage Farms Open at Lexington’s Red Mile.

And trainer Brett Pelling was not surprised.

“He’s a beast,” Pelling said. “People don’t give him the kudos that he deserves. When you’re around him, trust me, he gives you chills.”

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by Jennifer Starr for Breeders Crown Photo: Tullytrot

The emotions are running high for trainer Tim Twaddle as he prepares his prized pupil Fourever Boy for Saturday's $600,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, ON. “Anytime you get a chance to race in the big ones is exciting, but to do it with friends and family around, it makes it more special,” said Twaddle. A former trainer and driver on the Ontario Jockey Club now based at The Meadows Racetrack in Washington, PA, Tim will be joined by his older sister, Cindy, and his father, Robert, as well as his wife Sophie and his kids. His mom, Patricia, is in a nursing home and won’t be able to attend. . It will be a bit bittersweet to Tim as he lost one of his biggest supporters, his sister, Robin, just over a year ago when she passed away suddenly after a brief illness. She worked in the hospitality industry, both at Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks, and in the early days at Greenwood. “She had a bird's-eye view of my career as it took off, and the downfalls, as well. She was a big fan, and with all the limelight and the hoopla that goes with these big events, she’d be eating it up like ice cream. But she’s with me all the time,” he said emotionally. Fourever Boy heads into the Breeders Crown final off a fourth-place finish in his elimination, which was disappointing to Tim, and he took every precaution to make sure his colt's health was good. “I had trouble the last race at Lexington — he bled, I really didn’t expect it. He’s a Lasix horse, and we put him on it early in the year to help combat his allergy issues. It wasn’t because he was a bad bleeder. In the Tattersalls Pace, he was flat,” continued Twaddle. Fourever Boy had some time in the field before the elimination to heal, and trained pretty strong on Lasix at Mohawk last Tuesday. “He was superb, and he scoped clean after that training.” On the Saturday after the elim, Tim felt the race was flat. He had his colt scoped again, and discovered heavy mucous. “He had a real reason not to be great (in that race), and knowing what I know now, he did great to get to the final, so I’m happy about that.”

With 20 starts this year, and a lot of traveling, Fourever Boy ships well and doesn't need to take his track with him.

“Even the best ones in the world, it takes a toll on them after a while, but he doesn’t seem to show any signs of wear and tear. Even Dexter (Dunn) made the comment when we were going out of the paddock the other night how good he looks. To look at him, you’d never know he had 20 starts. He’s alert, he’s sharp. He feels good.” It has been more than two decades since Tim won a Breeders Crown trophy, and going into Saturday’s race card, he admits it’s not the same. “Totally different vibe this time around! Winning the Breeders Crown in ‘94 with Hardie Hanover was a monumental moment in my driving career and an extremely gratifying accomplishment. However, Hardie was a great filly, a world champion as it turned out. She was heavily favored and my job was to not mess up. I think as a much younger me, I was more focused on driving her well and getting our business taken care of.” The race took place at Garden State Park. Tim remembered. “Of course, it is now defunct. I had some owners in attendance (Ron and Lori Maruya of Martwest Stable), but no family. I basically was on my own to come in, drive and get out (under the radar as I wasn’t a headline act).” With Fourever Boy, Tim is enjoying every race and every milestone with this special colt. “This time around I know how special an event like this is, and although we’ll be underdogs, we will eat up every moment! This colt is special to us on so many levels and seeing him compete with the world’s greatest driver guiding him is surreal.” Until he’s back in Canada over the weekend, it’s business as usual back at the Meadows for Tim, and his fellow horsemen are stopping to offer their best wishes. “I was training horses at the Meadows Tuesday morning, and my friend Dr. Rick Balmer was speaking to me about the colt. I mentioned we were thinking about making the drive to Milton, ON for the draw (Tuesday evening). Doc says ‘when was the last Breeders Crown dinner you attended?’ I told him I’ve never been able to attend one. He stopped and asked ‘when will be the next one?’ And I said that I wasn’t sure there ever will be one.” “His reply? 'Exactly! Go enjoy every minute of this opportunity!'” Tim IS enjoying every opportunity, and believes in his colt. “I want him to race well. I want him to be a big factor. Let’s face it, he’s up against two outstanding colts. For Ronnie Burke to say [Bythemissal] is the fastest horse he’s ever had is a giant statement. If we were ever going to beat him, it probably would have been in the [Little Brown] Jug. We got to the front and the race was ours to win or lose, and he got out and got to us in the lane. Finishing second to him is no disgrace, that’s for sure. But they all get beat! Even Bulldog Hanover. If it’s the right day and the right situation, anything can happen. We didn’t draw terrible, and of course, Dexter is a magician, so we will see what happens.”

Louis-Philippe Roy would love to make a ‘Fashion’ statement on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

When the field of 11 top-rank standouts line up behind the starter car for the $810,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot Final just past 10:00 p.m., Roy will find himself in rein to a multiple stakes winner and Canadian champion, a horse that he knows inside and out.

Winning the heavyweight tilt with Richard Moreau trainee Fashion Frenzie, he admitted, would certainly be fitting.

“He is a very talented horse and has so many good qualities,” started Roy, of the 5-1 fourth choice in the morning line. “I’ve driven him a lot and he’s become smarter and better as he’s gotten older. He’s just one of the horses you just love to partner with.”

A double Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final champion – he won his division’s Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final in both years of eligibility at two and three – Fashion Frenzie has designed an outstanding career for Quebec-based Ecurie Francis Richard, Pierre Guillemette, and Sylvain Richard, who co-own with Mario Bourgea of Stanbridge East.

The son of Archangel-Striking Fashion is 18-for-27 lifetime and is less than $55,000 away from joining the millionaire ranks. The four-year-old is a two-time Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final champion, an O'Brien Award winner in 2021, and victor in the 2022 Earl Rowe Memorial Trot.

Not bad for a $7,000 purchase at the 2019 London Select Sale.

Now, the horse with the modest price tag will test his mettle against some of the sport’s top trotters on Saturday night, a group that includes 5-2 morning line choice Ecurie D, fellow millionaire Jujubee, Maple Leaf Trot winner and $1.5 million earner Back of the Neck, and multiple stakes winner Forbidden Treasure, who has over $2.3 million in earnings.

Although the competition is steep, Roy has unwavering faith in the brown gelding bred by John Petrik of Moorefield, Ontario, who sports a 7-0-0 mark from eight starts this season.

“He definitely belongs, and I couldn’t be happier for the ownership group,” said the driver closing in on 2,100 lifetime wins. “This is the type of race you always dreamt about being in, and I can’t wait to get out there.”

While he hasn’t seen it up close himself, Roy has heard the stories about Fashion Frenzie’s tough-as-nails personality.

“When Francis and the group bought him, there was a sign outside of the stall at the sale that read something like, ‘Be careful!’ I don’t know what he’s like at the barn, but he’s definitely up for the challenge when he’s on the racetrack. He’s got that competitive edge you like to see in a horse.”

A horse that doesn’t need to be on the lead to be dangerous.

While he’s no stranger to trotting on the front end, Fashion Frenzie can bring his A-game regardless of where he finds himself.

“That’s another great thing about him,” praised Roy. “He likes to pass horses, to battle with them, so you know that you are going to get all his best no matter what unfolds.”

Fashion Frenzie arrives at his latest engagement in top condition.

“I would say he’s at 100 percent,” offered Roy. “He’s definitely ready to go.”

So too is the man who will sit in the race bike.

Life, on and off the racetrack, is indeed good these days for the native of Mont-Joli, a town of just over 6,600 people located about 350 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.

Roy, in search of his first Breeders Crown triumph, recently became a first-time father, welcoming a son, Simon.

“It’s a great feeling to be a dad,” he said. “He’s doing really well, and we couldn’t be happier.”

While Roy had to whisper on the call while his son slept nearby, he’d undoubtedly have a far different tone if he were to notch a Breeders Crown triumph with Fashion Frenzie.

“That would be amazing,” said Roy. “The closer the race gets, the more excited you get. I can’t wait to get out there with him.”

A horse who is undeniably well-suited for success on the biggest stage.

by Tim Bojarski with files from Breeders Crown

Michael Burns photos

When the Open mare trotters line up at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night (Oct. 29) for the C$472,000 Breeders Crown final, one of the greatest trotters of all time will be looking to add the only line that is missing from her resume: a victory in this stake.

Triple millionaire Atlanta has competed in the Breeders Crown five times to date finishing second twice, third twice and fourth, and this will be her last opportunity to get the “W” in her final year of racing. And although it would be the connections wish to get that accomplished, her trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras affirmed Atlanta’s legacy is secured regardless of the outcome.

“It’s big anytime you’re trying to win a Breeders Crown. But Atlanta’s career is complete to me no matter what she does. If you’re going to try to hold that against her, you’re really being picky. She is one of the greatest trotting mares ever,” said Burke.

“She’s one of the great ones, no doubt about it. But the Breeders Crown is one thing that’s missing on her mantle. It would definitely mean a whole lot to win it for her,” explained Gingras.

Burke also said that having Atlanta draw outside of Bella Bellini makes it very tough for his mare because the big track “picks up” Bella Bellini, so Atlanta will also have to step up her game.

Bella Bellini is already a Breeders Crown champion, having won it as a 3-year-old. And there was no let down this year as she has come back at four just as good or better than she was in 2021. Bella Bellini has beaten both Atlanta and When Dovescry during this season and has also bested all male fields in the Hambletonian Maturity and Caesar’s Trot.

Trainer Nifty Norman spoke glowingly of his trotter and feels she’s in a good spot here for this final.

“She’s been fantastic, she’s exceeded my expectations. To me, she’s the best mare in the country and you don’t expect it from a 4-year-old. And I think she will appreciate getting back on a big track. Going to Yonkers (for the Miecuna Invitational) was probably a bad idea on my part, but it was a $250,000 race and we learned something, anyway. She doesn’t like a half,” said Norman.

When Dovescry has something in common with Atlanta besides being a multi-millionaire. Although she has won more than $300,000 in Breeders Crown events to date, she too has not won a championship in four tries after being twice second and third. And unlike Bella Bellini, she had no issues at all going around four turns at Yonkers Raceway as she won the Bob Miecuna Invitational by 1-1/4 lengths. When Dovescry comes in fresh off that victory right into this final and her trainer Brett Pelling is feeling confident about her chances.

“She is in the form of her life right now and I think she really appreciates the cooler weather. I don’t think she likes to sweat too much and she’s definitely done better as we’ve gone into the fall. Some horses come to their form early in the summer, and other horses seem to get it done in the fall. We’re always thinking long term so hopefully this is the time of year where it really pays off.” said Pelling.

For the next decade, besides the Crown crystal breeders trophy, the winning breeder of the Crown Mare Trot champion will receive the Charlie Keller Memorial Award, a $10,000 bonus. The bonus will be presented after the race to the winning breeder of the Mare Trot champion in the Diamond Creek Winner’s Lounge by Keller nephew Dan Bittle.

The C$472,000 Mare Trot is the second race and the first of eight Breeders Crown championships on Saturday’s card featuring C$6,157,000 in purses. The past performances for all Crown races are available at Woodbine Mohawk Park Free Programs: https://woodbine.com/mohawk/free-programs/

Both Breeders Crown nights will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) in the U.S.

Friday, Oct. 28 the broadcast featuring analyst Jessica Otten on site at Woodbine Mohawk Park and NYRA hosts Acacia Clement and Anthony Stabile on the desk at Belmont at The Big A will air from 9-11:00 p.m. [EDT.]

Saturday’s (Oct. 29) eight Breeders Crowns will be telecast from 7:30-11:00 p.m. [EDT] as part of NYRA's "America's Day at the Races" presentation and will feature Thoroughbred racing from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town in addition to the elite harness action from the Breeders Crown.

October 27, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ – Ron Burke was forced to miss several big races on Celebrity Bambino’s schedule because of the colt’s battle with sickness, but the trainer is hopeful his highly regarded prospect will make up for it the rest of the season.

Celebrity Bambino’s first opportunity arrives in Friday’s (Oct. 28) $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male trotters at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The colt, who won one of the event’s two elimination races last week, drew post four for the final and is 9-2 on the morning line with Yannick Gingras in the sulky.

Purchased for $120,000 at last fall’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, Celebrity Bambino is a son of Muscle Hill-Celebrity Ruth from the family of Breeders Crown champions Master Lavec and Housethatruthbuilt. He won his Crown elimination by 2-3/4 lengths over Oh Well in 1:53.2.

The Ron Burke-trained Celebrity Bambino enters the Breeders Crown final off back-to-back wins. New Image Media photo.

“It’s what we’ve expected all along from him,” Burke said. “We’ve had big hopes. He was great starting out and then he got sick and couldn’t get over it. It was a lot of patience for me to skip a lot of races I didn’t want to skip, but it was all to prep him for this week and the Valley Victory.

“I think he’s the real deal. I’ve thought it all along training down.”

Celebrity Bambino, who was scratched sick from the Peter Haughton Memorial final on Aug. 6, has hit the board in seven of eight races, winning three. He has earned $122,207 for owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva Stables, Knox Services, and Phil Collura.

The colt enters the Breeders Crown final off back-to-back wins.

“He’s such a nice horse,” Gingras said. “He was my favorite training down. I absolutely loved him. I thought he had the potential to do this, and a whole lot more. I thought he was a top, top horse. He got sick there, and Ronnie did the right thing. All credit goes to Ronnie, he gave him the time he needed, and the horse is back.”

Added Burke, “He’s ready. I’d be very surprised if he throws in a bad performance.”

Oh Well, who won the Mohawk Million on Sept. 24 at Mohawk, is the 3-1 favorite in Friday’s final despite starting from post nine. Tim Tetrick will be in the sulky for trainer Marcus Melander. The Muscle Hill-Fine Tuned Lady colt has finished no worse than second in all seven of his starts this season, winning four and earning $734,205 for owner SRF Stable.

Mohawk Million winner Oh Well is the morning-line favorite in the Breeders Crown final despite starting from post nine. New Image Media photo.

“I’m very happy with him,” Melander said. “He had a four-week layoff, so he should improve a lot with that start. He will be a lot sharper. (Post nine) isn’t ideal, but he’s a strong horse and I think he can overcome it.”

Melander also will send out Peter Haughton Memorial champ Kilmister, who is 5-1 from post five with driver Brian Sears. Kilmister received a bye directly to the Breeders Crown final as the result of his “Win-and-You’re-In” victory in the Haughton.

A son of Chapter Seven-Treviso, Kilmister enters Friday’s race off a fifth-place finish in an Oct. 7 division of the International Stallion Stakes at the Red Mile in which he went off stride at the start. For the season, has won five of eight races and earned $301,875 for owner Courant Inc.

“The gate goes very slow sometimes at the Red Mile and he just got very excited,” Melander said. “He had been there for almost two months, so it was good for him to get home (in New Jersey). He’s a lot more relaxed at home.

“He’s feeling good. We’re just going to go straight to the final. He feels sharp enough. (Post five) is perfect. It couldn’t have been better. I didn’t really want one or two with him because he can be a little excited behind the gate. The five hole is perfect.”

Gaines Hanover won the other Breeders Crown elimination in 1:53, a track record for a 2-year-old gelding, by 2-3/4 lengths over The Gruffalo. He is the 7-2 second choice from post one with Louis Philippe Roy driving for trainer Richard Moreau.

Gaines Hanover won his Breeders Crown elimination in a track-record 1:53. New Image Media photo.

The son of Cantab Hall-Gatka Hanover has won three of seven races, including a Champlain Stakes division on Sept. 15 at Mohawk, and earned $67,461 for owner Gestion J Y Blais Inc.

“I was surprised,” Moreau said of Gaines Hanover’s elim effort. “I like the horse, don’t get me wrong, but it’s getting late in the season and there are bigger, stronger horses. He is kind of medium sized. But he for sure did what he had to do, and he made my day.

“I’m happy for those (owners) in Montreal because they’ve always been in the business, they own their own farm, and every year they have a young horse coming up. They deserve this.”

All four Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds will be contested Friday at Mohawk. Racing begins at 7 p.m. (EDT) with the Crown fields going behind the gate in races six through nine. The finals for horses 3-and-up are Saturday, also starting at 7.

For free programs for Mohawk cards, click here.

October 27, 2022, by Gordon Waterstone, USTA Editorial Specialist

This year’s $675,000 contest on Saturday night (Oct. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park arguably has divisional honors on the line as it features a first-ever match-up between Hambletonian Oaks champ Fashion Schooner, Kentucky Filly Futurity winner Jiggy Jog S, and Joviality S, who bested her male peers in the MGM Yonkers Trot.

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October 26, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Confederate stepped up to the Grand Circuit for the first time in his Breeders Crown elimination for 2-year-old male pacers last week and handled the assignment like each of his previous four races — by winning.

The Brian Brown trainee captured the faster of the event’s two $25,000 elims, stopping the clock in 1:50.2 as he defeated Ervin Hanover by 2-1/4 lengths with a gate-to-wire performance at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He is the 7-5 morning-line favorite in Friday’s $600,000 final, when he will start from post three with Tim Tetrick in the sulky.

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This Thursday at 9 pm EST, catch the third edition of LIVE First Over with Edison Hatter Roundtable discussion. The Perfect Trip Roundtable will provide bettors with everything they need to know ahead of the 2022 Breeders Crown, Friday October 28, and Saturday, October 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Edison Hatter is joined by veteran Roundtable contributors Mike Pribozie, Garnet Barnsdale, Ray Cotolo, Derick Giwner and Robert Reid, Jr. They will discuss the 12 Breeders Crown Races, featuring the Stars of every division in harness racing, typically deciding year end honors. The fastest standardbred of all time Bulldog Hanover will look to avenge his loss at the hands of Allywag Hanover in the Open Pace. Three year old Filly trotting standouts Joviality S and Jiggy Jog S resume their rivalry. Wagering strategies and analysis for several multi leg wagers will be included. There will be two $100,000 guaranteed Pick 5s Saturday starting in Races 1 and 6 that will be featured.

Take a look at PTF and Edison Hatter’s Breeders’ Crown Preview below!

PTF is joined by Edison Hatter who explains how the Breeders’ Crown (harness racing’s equivalent of the Breeders’ Cup) works, and highlights a few horses and storylines to follow this Friday and Saturday night (Oct 28-29) at Woodbine Mohawk.

For much more on the big nights, be sure to also check out Edison’s Roundtable video/podcast which you can find on these same channels.

Sign up for one last chance at a direct qualifier to the 2022 BCBC here

MILTON, October 26, 2022 – In over 40 years training standardbreds, John Bax has seen a lot. So, it carries weight when he calls a moment as surreal.

Surreal is how the Campbellville resident described winning the 2001 Breeders Crown for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings with Duke Of York, a feat he’s looking to repeat on the female side Friday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park with standout two-year-old trotting filly Righteous Resolve (Resolve-Motown Muscle).

“(In 2001) we were 30-1 because we were in against Andover Hall, and he was 1-9” said Bax. “Then he ran, so it was a bit of a surreal night. I was standing there with my wife Vicky at Woodbine and we kind of said holy jeeze, is this happening?”

With eight wins from nine starts, and over $530,000 on her card, Righteous Resolve received an earnings exemption straight to the final and is unlikely to go off at 30-1. New Image Media Photo

In fact, the Bet Max Stables and Benenati Inc homebred, has been tipped as the 5-2 second choice by morning line, just behind Ake Svanstedt trained and driven Special Way who has compiled a similar mark of six wins from eight starts.

“Are we as good as (Special Way)? I guess we will find out on Friday,” said Bax. It’s exciting to be there and be competitive. Not only is it hard to win a Breeders Crown, it’s hard to get to a Breeders Crown. We don’t take it for granted and we are going to enjoy the moment and hopefully we have some luck.”

Enjoying the moment is what big nights in racing are all about, and the Breeders Crown is the pinnacle of the sport. For the week leading up, everyone in the field can dream of finding the winner’s circle and experiencing the thrill of succeeding at the highest level.

Sharing that journey and experience with the connections of Righteous Resolve is special for Bax because the owners are a group he has worked with for a long time.

“I’m really happy for the owners,” said Bax. “They put a lot of money into the business and have paid their dues. It’s nice to see their enthusiasm, and they’re still in love with the game. So hopefully we can do some good for them.”

Bax was in the same position a year ago. Righteous Resolve’s full brother Duly Resolved was in the two-year-old colts and geldings Breeders Crown final at the Meadowlands. ‘Duly’ wasn’t able to get in gear that day and finished eighth.

The two siblings had similar schedules during their freshman campaign. Righteous Resolve will enter the final with nine starts, while her older brother had 11 after going through eliminations to reach the Breeders Crown final.

“We never had a set number in mind. You just look at the schedule and you’re hoping for breaks.,” said Bax. “We were happy to get the bye. But I don’t know if it’s so important the number of races, but how tough they are. I guess the long and the short of it is, we’re hopeful she’s coming in healthy and happy, but we are also glad we are near the end of the year for her.”

Righteous Resolve has won her last three starts by a combined 11 lengths, and with a week off thanks to her bye to the final, she is set up to be fresh for the big night.

Another positive for the freshman trotter is that her biggest race of the season comes in her backyard, and at her home track.

“I think it’s a big advantage to not have to truck however many hours,” said Bax. “It’s 20 minutes over to the track and away you go. I think it’s an advantage or at least I hope it is.”

So, when Ken Middleton, the voice of Woodbine Mohawk Park, says they’re off and trotting Friday around 10:18 p.m., Righteous Resolve and Paul MacDonell leaving from post seven figure to be the mix and the veteran trainer will be trackside hoping for another surreal moment.

“We are all going to enjoy it,” said Bax. “And I have to give a shoutout to my son Matt. He does all the heavy lifting these days, and I hope it’s a great first Breeders Crown experience for him.”

October 25, 2022, from the U.S. Harness Writers Association

Harrisburg, PA — The United States Harness Writers Association is going to give away $1,000 in cash with its last free Superfecta contest of the season.

It all takes place Saturday night (Oct. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park in one of the Breeders Crown finals that will be announced on Thursday.

The contest is free to everyone aged 21 and older (except USHWA members are not eligible to enter), and all you need to do is select the Superfecta (first four official finishers in the race) in the designated race.

The best part is that USHWA is going to give away the $1,000 cash no matter what. If no one selects the Superfecta, then we go to those that had the Trifecta or then the Exacta and if need be, we will draw the winners from those who picked the winning horses on top. Someone is going to win the $1,000 cash!

For complete rules and to enter the contest starting on Thursday, please go to Scott Alberg’s Facebook page by clicking here. All entries for the $1,000 giveaway must be done on Scott Alberg’s Facebook page.

USHWA is celebrating its 75th anniversary throughout 2022-2023 and will have other special events leading up to the USHWA Dan Patch Awards dinner on Feb. 19, 2023 at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando.

October 25, 2022, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — A year after experiencing the frustration of having to scratch So Much More from the Breeders Crown Mare Pace at The Meadowlands because of sickness, the Beatson family is enjoying the excitement of having its Canadian millionaire in this year’s final at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

So Much More, a 6-year-old daughter of Big Jim-Ladysai, finished second by a nose to defending U.S. Horse of the Year Test Of Faith in their Breeders Crown elimination this past weekend at Mohawk. She will start Saturday’s $400,000 final from post two with regular driver James MacDonald in the sulky.

She heads to the race with 54 wins in 119 career starts and C$1.1 million in purses. She has finished in the top three a total of 93 times, with 12 of her 28 second-place finishes coming by a neck or less. New Image Media photo.

“She’s been a winner,” said Don Beatson, an Ontario native who trains and co-owns So Much More with his son Kenneth and grandson Cole England.

“She’s consistent,” England added.

“She’s got a good heart, and she’s pretty fast too,” Beatson continued. “All of the mares opens and preferred races here, just the amount she could win, that’s what is so impressive. That she could stay at the top like that. She wins them all the time.”

So Much More, who received the 2020 O’Brien Award for best older female pacer, has won the past seven opens or preferred handicaps for fillies and mares that she has competed in at Mohawk. Over the years, she also has defeated the boys at the preferred level. Chris Tully Photo

Beatson purchased So Much More early in her 3-year-old campaign in 2019. The mare, who began her career on Prince Edward Island racing for breeder Doug MacPhee and trainer Tom Weatherbie, won her first four races for her new connections and went on to capture the Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots Series championship.

“I saw her for sale on the internet and we decided to go for it,” Beatson said. “If you’re in the business, you’re always looking for a horse. She was Ontario-bred, that is what made it for us.”

Last year, the family was looking forward to sending So Much More to The Meadowlands for the Breeders Crown. She received a bye to advance directly to the final, but just before departing for New Jersey, she was found to be sick.

“We were all set to go, we were all keyed up for that,” Beatson said. “It was very disappointing.”

So, what does it mean to advance to this year’s final?

“It’s amazing,” Beatson said. “We’re loving it.”

So Much More was the 6-1 second choice in her elimination, and just missed against Test Of Faith as they hit the finish line in 1:50.1.

“She raced big,” Beatson said. “It didn’t surprise us. We knew she would be something like that. In the late stages, I thought she was going to win.

“That was a good one,” he added. “And we’ll hope for another good one (this) week.”

Test Of Faith dug in late to hold off So Much More to win their Breeders Crown elimination. New Image Media photo.

* * * * * *

No female pacer has ever won a Breeders Crown at age 3 and returned to capture the Mare Pace the following year. But that is what Test Of Faith will try to accomplish Saturday from post one with David Miller in the sulky for trainer Brett Pelling.

Test Of Faith won last season’s Breeders Crown for 3-year-old filly pacers and brings a five-race win streak to this year’s Mare Pace final. She won her elimination by a nose over So Much More.

Test Of Faith rallied off cover to score as the 1-5 favorite in last year’s Breeders Crown for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Lisa photo.

“That’s not typically how we see her, but believe it or not, she was never going to lose,” Pelling said about the close finish. “She’s traveled a lot. Compared to pretty much all the other mares in the race, she’s the one that’s gone to every race. It was a pretty hectic schedule for a couple of weeks.

“She will stay up there (in Canada) and have a restful week and I think that will really put her right back on her game.”

Test Of Faith has won 11 of 17 races this year, including the Milton Stakes and Roses Are Red, both at Mohawk. For her career, the daughter of Art Major-Cannae Cammie has finished no worse than second in 41 of 42 starts, winning 33.

“That (elimination) field, it was stacked,” Pelling said. “The four horses to beat in the entire thing were all in the same race. I was happy with her.

“If there was anything disappointing, it was the draw. Drawing the rail there, it’s just not a great spot. But the one thing about her is that she’s incredibly versatile. She is just one of those horses who can do anything.”

* * * * * *

Seven-year-old No Win No Feed A comes to Saturday’s Breeders Crown Mare Pace looking for a trophy in North America after being a Breeders Crown champion in Australia at ages 3 and 4. She was voted Australia’s top 3-year-old filly pacer.

No Win No Feed A finished second to Grace Hill, beaten by a head in 1:51.2, in her Breeders Crown elimination at Mohawk. Andy McCarthy will drive her from post seven for trainer Erv Miller and owner Doug Overhiser in Saturday’s final.

“She’s a nice mare,” Miller said about the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance-Designer Rose. “Hopefully she can be good Saturday night, get the right trip and get it done. Doug has been buying a lot (of horses from Down Under) and we’ve been having some luck with them. She’s a really nice big, strong mare. We took our time getting her ready to race over here, and she’s coming around good.”

No Win No Feed A has won 10 of 28 races and earned $201,634 in her first season of racing in North America.

All four Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds will be held Friday at Mohawk. The finals for horses ages 3 and up will be Saturday. Racing begins at 7 p.m. (EDT) both nights.

For more information, visit the Breeders Crown website here or the Woodbine Mohawk Park website here.

MILTON, October 25, 2022 – Participants and dignitaries gathered Tuesday evening at Country Heritage Park in Milton, Ontario for a special post-position draw and dinner celebrating this weekend’s Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The post draws for the Open Pace, Open Trot and 3-Year-Old Colt Pace were conducted to set the stage for this weekend’s 12 championship races. Posts for the other nine Crown events were drawn during this past Friday and Saturday’s cards of live racing.

Bulldog Hanover, the World’s fastest Standardbred, will be the headliner in the $600,000 (USD) Breeders Crown Open Pace, which is carded as the main event, Race 9, on Saturday.

The Jack Darling trained Bulldog Hanover will start from post six with driver Dexter Dunn in an overflow field of 11.

“I was happy with that [post six],” Darling told Mark McKelvie moments after learning his post. “I was a little bit worried about that nine-hole, but I’m really happy with the six. I’ve had some good horses, but to have a horse like this is a really special thing, and I wish everybody could have a horse like this once in their life.”

Bulldog Hanover has impressively won 12 of 14 starts this season, earning $1.2 million in the process. The four-year-old son of Shadow Play established a new harness racing record mile time of 1:45.4 on July 16 at The Meadowlands. The World Record mile is one of five sub-1:47 miles turned in by the “Bulldog” this season.

Darling shares ownership of the World Champion with prominent owner Brad Grant.

“I think it’s sunk in because I think I’ve watched it 42 times on TV, so it’s sunk in,” said Darling, of the record mile. “He came out of it [Allerage Pace] good. He’s had a good week at home and I expect to him to give a good effort this week.”

Bulldog Hanover enters Saturday’s Breeders Crown off a rare defeat after 2021 Canadian Pacing Derby winner Allywag Hanover pulled the upset win in the Allerage Pace on October 9 at The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky.

Allywag Hanover will start from post three on Saturday for driver Todd McCarthy and trainer Brett Pelling.

The Breeders Crown Open Pace is carded as Race 9 on Saturday with an approximate post time of 10:47 p.m. (ET).

Bythemissal and Pebble Beach ready for Crown showdown

The $600,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace will be the third meeting between Pepsi North America Cup winner Pebble Beach and Little Brown Jug winner Bythemissal.

Both standouts captured their respective eliminations this past Saturday and were guaranteed to draw a post from one to five at Tuesday’s draw.

Pebble Beach will start from post five for driver Todd McCarthy and trainer Noel Daley, while Bythemissal will go from post two for reinsman Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke.

“When we were training him down, he did seem like he was better than pretty much anything in the barn, training down, so we knew he was pretty nice,” offered Burke. “But he has even surprised us. It seems like wherever we go, the more we ask of him, the more he does.”

After winning the Pepsi North America Cup in mid-June, Pebble Beach struggled to keep his winning ways alive. The Daley trainee won just three of his next nine starts, finishing second in five of those appearances.

Pebble Beach gutted out a win in the Tattersalls on October 9 at The Red Mile before returning to Mohawk Park last weekend. The son of Downbytheseaside turned in a career-best 1:48.3 victory to improve to four for four at the Campbellville oval.

“This was the best he’s been,” said trainer Daley after Saturday’s elimination. “He finished it off. Todd said he was like a different horse tonight. I don’t know if it was the Lasix that made the difference but tonight, that was even better than he was earlier in the year. He was really sharp during the week here, literally kicking his shoes off in the paddock. So, I’m glad he just finished it off and showed that he’s back to form.”

Bythemissal was a supplement entry to the Breeders Crown for the ‘Burke Brigade’. The gelded son of Downbytheseaside cleaned up in this year’s Ohio Sires Stakes and has made a big splash in a few Grand Circuit appearances, winning the Adios, Milstein and Jug.

The Burke trainee improved to 12 for 14 this season with his elimination victory on Saturday.

Leading Ohio reinsman Page is enjoying the ride with Bythemissal.

“Who would’ve thought that from there [Little Brown Jug], I would be here talking to you for the Breeders Crown,” Page told Woodbine’s Mark McKelvie after Saturday’s race. “To win the Jug, that was definitely the top of my bucket list, and this is up there near the top, so we’ve got to finish next week.”

Another top contender in the 3-Year-Old Colt Pace is fan-favourite Fourever Boy (post seven), who’s made a field-high 20 starts this season. The Tim Twaddle trainee has danced all the big dances, posting notable wins in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship, Simcoe Stakes and a heat of the Jug.

The Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace is carded as Race 7 on Saturday with an approximate post time of 9:47 p.m. (ET).

Heavyweights ready to battle in Crown Open Trot

With a who’s who field of North America’s most recent top male trotters, the $600,000 (USD) Breeders Crown Open Trot will look to steal the show on Saturday at Mohawk Park.

Defending Breeders Crown champions Ecurie D DK and Jujubee are among the 11 starters in one of the weekend’s main events.

Ecurie D DK, who has drawn post five, is one of four starters in the Open Trot for trainer Ake Svanstedt, who also sends out Ambassador Hanover (post 10), Back Of The Neck (post eight) and Rattle My Cage (post nine).

The six-year-old Ecurie D DK captured last year’s Crown Open Trot in just his second start on North American soil. Fans have only been able to get a few glimpses of the trotting star, as Saturday will be just his sixth start of the season. His lone victory came in his season debut in the Cutler Memorial back in May at The Meadowlands.

Back Of The Neck will be returning to Mohawk Park for the first time since upsetting his star stablemate in the Maple Leaf Trot on September 3.

Greg Wright Jr. trainee Jujubee will start from post six with driver Andrew McCarthy in search of the Breeders Crown double at ages three and four.

Jujubee captured last year’s 3-Year-Old Colt Trot to cap off a spectacular 2021 campaign. Unfortunately for Wright Jr. and owner/breeder Jon Erdner, an injury while preparing for his four-year-old season kept the trotter out until September.

Making up for lost time, Jujubee captured the Allerage Trot on October 9 at The Red Mile to secure his first win in four starts this season.

Not to overshadowed, Amigo Volo will be attempting to win his third Breeders Crown title. The five-year-old captured his first Crown event at age two in 2019 at Mohawk Park and then followed up with a Crown victory at age three in 2020 at Hoosier Park.

Hoping to find some more ‘Mohawk Magic’, Amigo Volo will start from post three with driver Dexter Dunn.

The Breeders Crown Open Trot is carded as Race 8 on Saturday with an approximate post time of 10:17 p.m. (ET).

Crown set for Friday and Saturday

Friday evening’s card at Woodbine Mohawk Park will feature the Breeders Crown finals for 2-Year-Olds. The four events are carded as Races 6 through 9. Post time is 7 p.m.

Saturday’s second Crown card at Mohawk Park will consist of the finals for the 3-Year-Old and Open divisions. The eight Crown events are carded as Races 2 through 9. Post time is 7 p.m.

For the latest information of the Breeders Crown, visit www.WoodbineMohawkPark.com and follow @WoodbineSB or @WoodbineComms on Twitter.

Charlie Keller III Leaves Legacy Bonus for Breeder of the Crown Mare Trot Champion.

Charlie Keller III was a generous and benevolent man in life, who passionately supported the sport of harness racing. Besides carrying on the legacy of his father’s Yankeeland Farms breeding and racing empire, he was an accomplished athlete and a devoted supporter of the racing industry. His many contributions included serving as a director of the Hambletonian Society for 20 years and as chairman of the executive committee, as well as his five-term tenure as a District 11 director for the U.S. Trotting Association (USTA) and integral member of that association’s Finance Committee. Coupled with the family’s Yankeeland Farm legacy, Charlie’s accomplishments and sterling character were acknowledged by his peers with induction to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2016, where he also became a trustee.

Upon his passing in 2021, Charlie left an honorarium to the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown to be gifted to the winning breeder of the Breeders Crown Mare Trot, a race that will bear his name on the memorial trophy.

For the next decade, the winning breeder of the Crown Mare Trot champion will receive the Charlie Keller Memorial Award, a $10,000 bonus.

The $350,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot takes place on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario as one of 12 year-end championship series. The 2022 edition attracted eight of the top distaffers in North America, with total earnings of over C$9 million. The bonus will be presented after the race to the winning breeder in the Diamond Creek Winner’s Lounge by Keller nephew Dan Bittle.

"Most people who knew Dad were well aware of his deep love and passion for our industry,” said Charlie “Chaz” Keller IV. “This award will not only recognize and reward the breeders of truly great trotting mares that become Breeders Crown Champions, but will also carry on the legacy that Dad hoped to preserve by supporting and promoting our great sport of Harness Racing.”

The event choice stemmed from arguably the most famous “Yankee” that Charlie’s father bred in the early days of Yankeeland Farms of Frederick, Maryland. A daughter of Hickory Pride-Pert Yankee-Titan Hanover foal, Fresh Yankee was a $900 yearling purchase from the Yankeeland consignment. She would go on to race until 1972, and earn $1,294,252.

Fresh Yankee was North America's first "million dollar" trotter and second in the world list only to the famous French mare Une de Mai. Her awards and victories would fill pages. Fresh Yankee was the season or world champion for seven consecutive years and retired as the leading money winning American Standardbred of all time.

Prior to the farm’s dispersal, Yankeeland was responsible for the winners of nearly $70 million in purse money. In the Breeders Crown series their starters have banked more than $1.5 million, with Crown champions like Yankee Cashmere, Muscles Yankee, Strong Yankee and Yankee Slide. The Yankeeland-bred Hambletonian winner Muscles Yankee went on to be one of the most influential trotting sires in the sport, responsible for three consecutive Hambletonian winners in Deweycheatumnhowe, Muscle Hill and Muscle Massive.

To those who knew Charlie and his family and friends, it comes as no surprise that his legacy and generosity will continue to reverberate in the sport of harness racing long after his passing.

Guests and media are asked to arrive for 6 p.m. The draw will get underway promptly at 6:30 p.m.

The following finals will be drawn at the Breeders Crown Post Position Draw and Dinner:

•

Open Pace

•

Open Trot

•

3-Year-Old Colt Pace

Country Heritage Park is located eight minutes from Woodbine Mohawk Park at 8560 Tremaine Road in Milton. For more information on Country Heritage Park, click here.

Various participants in this weekend's Breeders Crown will be on hand and available for interviews. If you have any special requests, please reach out to Mark McKelvie (mmckelvie@woodbine.com).

Please find below a link to apply for Media Credentials to this weekend's Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

We kindly ask that you complete this form no later than Thursday, October 25. Please forward or complete on behalf of your colleagues that are also planning to attend.

More information, including Media Seating and Credential Pick-Up will be sent later this week to those that complete the form.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mark McKelvie (mmckelvie@woodbine.com).

Form Application

PEBBLE BEACH AND BYTHEMISSAL SKIP TO IMPRESSIVE SCORES IN THEIR BREEDERS CROWN ELIMS

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms

Photos By New Image Media

MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Two standout sophomore colts, Pebble Beach and Bythemissal, punched their tickets to the big dance in a pair of $33,750 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace eliminations, Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

In a week’s time, Pebble Beach and Bythemissal will find out if they are fit for a ‘Crown.’

On this night, each showed they have the credentials to lay claim to that coronation.

The first division saw an absolutely dominating performance courtesy of Pebble Beach.

Birthday, 35-1, was sent to the front early with fellow longshot 33-1 Dalby Hanover picking up the chase in second, Magical Arthur sat third and 1-5 choice Pebble Beach tucked in fourth through an opening panel in :26.2.

Pebble Beach was then on the move, as Todd McCarthy guided the multiple stakes winner to the front and through a half in :54.1.

Ahead by 2 ½ lengths after three-quarters reached in 1:22.0, Pebble Beach, coming into his Crown elimination off a victory in the $363,500 Tattersalls Pace on October 9, darted away from his rivals with ease down the lane, cruising to a geared down 2 ¾-length triumph in 1:48.3.

Birthday held for second, while a hard-charging Ponda Warrior rallied to net third spot. Also qualifying for next Saturday’s final were Fourever Boy and Dreamfair Arnie B, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

WITH THE WIN, PEBBLE BEACH IS UNDEFEATED IN FOUR STARTS AT WOODBINE MOHAWK PARK, WITH HIS BIGGEST WIN COMING IN THE $1 MILLION PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP ON JUNE 18.

“This was the best he’s been,” said trainer Noel Daley. “He finished it off. Todd said he was like a different horse tonight. I don’t know if it was the Lasix that made the difference but tonight, that was even better than he was earlier in the year. He was really sharp during the week here, literally kicking his shoes off in the paddock. So, I’m glad he just finished it off and showed that he’s back to form.”

After some tough recent results at The Red Mile, Pebble Beach was back on track and back in the winner’s circle.

“You know, it was disappointing all the time,” offered Daley. “I just knew he was better than that.”

A son of Downbytheseaside, Pebble Beach posted his 14th win in 25 starts this season and has now amassed over $1.4 million in lifetime earnings for owners Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Country Club Acres and LAExpressFoderaDeoVolente.

Bred by Brittany Farm, the bay colt was an $85,000 purchase at the 2020 Lexington Select Sale as Hip No. 710.

Bythemissal continued his dream season with a strong effort in the second elimination.

It was second choice on the tote board I Did It Myway who overtook Greatest Ending for the lead into the first turn, with Bythemissal sitting third and Mad Max Hanover in fourth, as the pacesetter brought the field to the opening quarter in :27.2.

Chris Page, in rein to Bythemissal, was on the march soon after, and the duo struck front, 1 ½ lengths ahead of I Did It Myway after a half reached in :54.4.

The pair were still one-two after three-quarters in 1:23.0 and began to pull away from their foes down the lane. I Did It My Way looked to reel in his rival in the late going, but Bythemissal wouldn’t be denied, going on to post a three-quarter length score in 1:49.1. Greatest Ending, Mad Max Hanover and Captain Cowboy also earned a spot in next Saturday’s final.

“I’m always a little apprehensive, who’s on the outside, but the horse felt really good,” said Page. “Kind of got a nice third-quarter breather, so I knew he’d have a pretty good punch coming home.”

It was yet another polished performance from this year’s Little Brown Jug victor, trained by Ron Burke, who co-owns with Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The Downbytheseaside-Dismissal gelding became the first Ohio-bred Jug champion since 1988 winner BJ Scoot.

Now, the bay who won his only two-year-old start, banking $3,000 for the victory, will have the opportunity to add another piece of serious standardbred hardware to his connections’ trophy case.

Bythemissal will also carry a five-race win streak into next Saturday’s showdown with Pebble Beach and eight other rivals.

“Who would’ve thought that from there [Little Brown Jug], I would be here talking to you for the Breeders Crown,” Page told Mark McKelvie after the race. “To win the Jug, that was definitely the top of my bucket list, and this is up there near the top, so we’ve got to finish next week.”

WITH THE WIN, BYTHEMISSAL, WHO PAID $3.50 FOR THE WIN, IS NOW 13-2-0 FROM 15 STARTS.

Bred by Stephen Dey, the gelding was a $135,000 purchase (Hip No. 794) at the 2020 Lexington Select Sale.

KING OF THE NORTH, DOUBLE DECEIVER UPSET IN BREEDERS CROWN ELIMINATIONS

Ray Cotolo, for Woodbine Communications

Photos By New Image Media

MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Double-digit dividends paid off the winners of each $33,750 elimination for the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Trot on Saturday night (Oct. 22) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with King Of The North delivering at odds of 28-1 and Double Deceiver scoring at 7-1.

Leaving from post 9, driver Mark MacDonald hustled King Of The North off the wings and kept him flat to lead to a :26.4 first quarter with Twin B Archie in the pocket and Pretender racing third. King Of The North continued to roll on the lead through a :55.4 half while readying for a first-over challenge from Pretender. MacDonald then uncorked the Ray Schnittker trainee to three-quarters and widened to an open-length lead to three-quarters in 1:23.

Clear coming for home, King Of The North soon faced a diminishing lead with Branded By Lindy closing ground from a second-over trip. Branded By Lindy loomed nearer with each stride, but King Of The North clung to victory by a half length in 1:51.1. Fast As The Wind closed for third with Hambletonian champ Cool Papa Bell and Twin B Archie rounding the finalists.

“He’s a super sure-footed horse, he just kind of touched his knee a little bit and put a bobble in,” Mark MacDonald said after the race. “I was ready for him; he’ll do that sometimes, so I had a good hold of him and he just came right back trotting. He was still wanting to get into gear, so I kept going forward.”

“He’s a good horse,” MacDonald also said. “I think I read his obituary in August on the USTA, but we started the year off and were just trying to target him… and unfortunately, he made a break in the Hambletonian. We were targeting him for the later races. If we come out of here with a Breeders Crown ‘W’, it’d still be a successful year.”

KING OF THE NORTH ADDED TO AN ACCOUNT NOW WORTH $829,255 WITH HIS SEVENTH VICTORY FROM 22 STARTS. THE WALNER COLT, FROM THE DONATO HANOVER MARE CHECK ME OUT, RACES FOR OWNERS SCHNITTKER WAR, ARDEN HOMESTEAD STABLE, NOLAMAURA RACING LLC AND STEVEN ARNOLD. STEVE JONES AND RAY SCHNITTKER BRED THE COLT WHO PAID $59.20 TO WIN.

A lane opened at the pylons for ground-saving Double Deceiver to dash through and outsprint Slay to the finish of a 1:52.4 mile in the first elimination.

World At War Deo darted from the outermost post in the octet to lead the field by a :28.1 first quarter before Temporal Hanover swept to the front up the backside. Temporal Hanover then coasted around the final turn as Golden Wall As pushed uncovered along the rim with Slay in tow and Double Deceiver sticking to the cones in the rear of the field.

Past three-quarters in 1:25.1, the field swarmed Temporal Hanover as he drifted and soon retreated through the pack. Golden Wall As surged to a narrow lead in midstretch until Double Deceiver accelerated through the gap developed at the pylons for a near-last to first blitz in the stretch. Slay slung off Golden Wall As’s cover to give chase but only gave pursuit to take second in a 1:52.4 mile, beaten a head. Golden Wall As finished third with Keg Stand and World At War Deo completing the finalists.

“I never used him, stayed to the inside and when we got room, he exploded,” winning driver David Miller said after the race. “If he’d had gotten room [in the Kentucky Futurity], he would’ve been real close. In hindsight… yeah, it didn’t hurt him. But I’m just glad to see him get into the final and actually win. Now we’re looking pretty good.”

DOUBLE DECEIVER, A GELDING BY CANTAB HALL FROM THE DONATO HANOVER MARE SARCY, COLLECTED HIS 10TH WIN FROM 23 STARTS AND HAS NOW EARNED $568,354 FOR OWNER PINSKE STABLES. CARTER PINSKE TRAINS THE GELDING BRED BY STEVE STEWART AND OAKWOOD FARMS WHO PAID $17.90 TO WIN.

With their elimination victories, King Of The North and Double Deceiver earned a protected draw between posts 1 and 5 for the $675,000 final next Saturday (Oct. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

NEW CANADIAN RECORD FOR JIGGY JOG S: BREEDERS CROWN 3 YEAR OLD TROT ELIMINATIONS

Heather MacKay, for Woodbine Communications

Photos by New Image Media

MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Jiggy Jog S and Joviality S were impressive winners in the two $33,750 Breeders Crown eliminations for three-year-old trotting fillies tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park with the former establishing a new track and Canadian record with her 1:51.2 performance.

Her division was reduced by one with the scratch of Lilbitalexis. That race saw Doug McNair send Baby Longstocking straight to the front from post 10 but she was quickly passed by Fashion Schooner well before the :28 first quarter.

Tim Tetrick had Fashion Schooner by the half in :56.3 and the three quarters in 1:23.4. He tried to open up a few lengths on the competition but it wasn’t enough to hold off favourite Jiggy Jog S and Dexter Dunn who were first at the wire reached in 1:51.2. Fashion Schooner held for second. Also qualifying for next week’s final were Raised By Lindy, Bare My Soul and Venerable.

The time represents a new track record at the Campbellville oval as well as a Canadian record for two-year-old trotting fillies on a seven-eighths mile track, shaving a tick off the previous standard set two years ago by Sorella.

“We got away in a good spot following Yannick’s horse (Raised By Lindy). We weren’t too far off them and coming to the three-quarters we had a good helmet to follow. Timmy did get away on us but she’s so sharp right now. Her win in the Filly Futurity was massive. As soon as I tipped her off cover she accelerated quick,” explained Dunn.

Heading into next week’s final he noted: “It’s a great bunch, obviously Joviality is an amazing filly, it will be a good race for sure. My filly won on the front at Lexington, she came from behind tonight, she’s very versatile. We’ll see how it goes.”

As for the track record he said: “She was doing it pretty easy, she definitely had a lot more left tonight. It’s exciting going into next week.”

AKE SVANSTEDT TRAINS THE WINNER FOR OWNER JORGEN SPARREDAL OF FLORIDA. TONIGHT’S EFFORT IMPROVED HER SUMMARY TO 7-3-0 IN 12 OUTINGS THIS YEAR.

It was Tetrick on top early in the first elimination as well with Misswalner Fashion who trotted by the opening quarter in :26.4. She was covered up by last weekend’s Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final winner Mischievous Rose well before the :55.2 half and she hit the third quarter in 1:24.3 for Louis-Philippe Roy.

As they entered the lane it appeared to be a three way race between Mischevious Rose, Misswalner Fashion and Pure Countess but never count out a favourite with Brian Sears in the bike.

Joviality S never saw the rail throughout the race getting away in eighth in the early going and picking up some cover in the outer lane on the backside. As the field raced towards the finish Joviality was four or five wide and closing hard causing announcer Ken Middleton to declare: “This filly is flat out flying.” She flew by her competition to win in 1:52.1.

It was a close finish for the remaining qualifying spots in the final earned, in order, by Misswalner Fashion, Pure Countess, Warrawee Xenia and Mischievous Rose.

A DAUGHTER OF CHAPTER SEVEN OWNED BY COURANT INC. OF FLORIDA, JOVIALITY IS TRAINED BY MARCUS MELANDER WHO ADMITTED HE WASN’T TOO CONFIDENT WHEN HE SAW THE TRIP SHE WAS GETTING.

“In the last turn I thought this will be tough. I thought she was going to make the final but it’s so important to win to draw one through five. She’s had such bad luck drawing bad, even tonight she had the nine hole and she overcame it. We will get a good draw for next week.”

For the winner it was her 11th win in 14 trips this year and ups her 2022 bankroll over one million. The Breeders Crown winner during her freshman season, Joviality now has $1.9 million earned in her impressive career to date.

“She’s racing great the whole season. She started out in May and we’re here in October and she’s still in form. She’s just a great horse,” praised Melander.

TEST OF FAITH AND GRACE HILL TAKE BREEDERS CROWN MARE PACE ELIMINATIONS

Jay Bergman, for Woodbine Communications

Photos By New Image Media MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Test Of Faith and driver David Miller made it interesting but got the job done for the 33rd time in her brilliant career capturing the first of two $33,750 eliminations for the Breeders Crown Mare Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night. The 4-year-old daughter of Art Major held off local favourite So Much More by a nose in a 1:50 1/5 mile.

Test Of Faith had the outside draw in the seven mare field and Miller waited patiently in the early stages allowing first Amazing Dream and then So Much More exchange the lead before moving Test Of Faith with purpose. Following an opening quarter in :26 4/5 Miller and Test Of Faith gained control and from that point set fractions of :55 1/5 and 1:22 4/5 for the middle half with little change in the order as the competition awaited the stretch to tackle the 2021 Horse of the Year.

Amazing Dream and Yannick Gingras pulled first with Chase Lounge second over and Mikala coming up third over while off the leader.

Miller didn’t move a muscle in the stretch but Test Of Faith bore out a bit allowing So Much More and James MacDonald ample room to make a challenge.

So Much More was able to gain ground but Miller confidently nudged Test Of Faith and the brilliant mare responded just enough to keep her nose in front for the win. So Much More would settle for second. Mikala made up good ground for George Brennan to finish third followed by Amazing Dream N and Chase Lounge. The top five will return for the final on October 29.

TRAINED BY BRETT PELLING FOR OWNERS MELVIN SEGAL, KENTUCKIANA RACING STABLE AND EDDIE GRAN, TEST OF FAITH WON FOR THE FIFTH STRAIGHT TIME THIS SEASON AS SHE LOOKS FOR HER SECOND STRAIGHT BREEDERS CROWN TROPHY. SENT OFF AS THE HEAVY FAVOURITE TEST OF FAITH RETURNED $2.40 TO WIN. “SHE DUG IN AND WAS PACING PRETTY HARD TO THE WIRE,” MILLER SAID FOLLOWING THE VICTORY. “SHE HAS A TENDENCY TO WAIT ON THEM WHEN SHE’S ON THE LEAD.”

The second $33,750 Breeders Crown elimination saw driver Doug McNair move from last to first in the homestretch as the 9-5 favourite to get up in a three-mare photo on the wire of a 1:51 2/5 mile. The 4-year-old by Always B Miki found a seam between horses in the final eighth and was airborne crossing the wire for her sixth win of the year.

Easy To Please and Racine Bell both left with purpose with the former grabbing the front into the first turn and the latter taking over as the :27 4/5 first quarter was passed. Brian Sears guided Racine Bell through a pedestrian half of :56 4/5 before Gias Surreal went on the offensive for driver Bob McClure at the half. No Win No Feed A and Dabarndawgswatchin followed second and third over as Racine Bell managed three quarters in 1:24 2/5 and started her sprint home for Sears.

In the homestretch Gias Surreal backed off but No Win No Feed A was closing in steadily on the leader. Easy To Please in the pocket struggled to find racing room as did Fire Start Hanover. In midstretch Grace Hill was able to clear off the pylons and slide into the four path where McNair asked her to pace, and she accelerated instantly.

Grace Hill finished on the far outside just ahead of No Win No Feed A with Racine Bell not far behind in third. Easy To Please cleared late to finish fourth with Gias Surreal holding the final qualifying berth.

GRACE HILL IS OWNED BY TOM HILL OF HAMILTON AND TRAINED BY VIRGIL MORGAN JR. “WE GOT ROOM WHEN WE NEEDED IT,” SAID MCNAIR FOLLOWING THE VICTORY. “SHE DUG IN.” GRACE HILL RETURNED $5.80 AS THE BETTING CHOICE.

CONFEDERATE & HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE TAKE FRESHMAN CROWN ELIMS

Heather MacKay for Hambletonian Society/Woodbine

Photos By New Image Media

MILTON, October 21, 2022 - Two rookie pacing colts, Confederate and Handlelikeaporsche, made their first Canadian starts winning ones in two $33,750 Breeders Crown eliminations tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

One race after his aunt, Charleston, captured her Breeders Crown elimination, Confederate also visited the winners’ circle following the first split for two-year-old pacing colts.

The first division was reduced by one with the scratch of Sounds Good. Ervin Hanover was the swiftest afoot early from post eight and he was covered up by favourite Confederate at the :27.3 first quarter. With Tim Tetrick at the controls, Confederate tripped the halfway timer in :56.2 and was by the third quarter in 1:23.4.

DOWN THE STRETCH SEVERAL COLTS ATTEMPTED TO CHALLENGE BUT CONFEDERATE HELD STRONG AND WAS AT THE WIRE IN 1:50.2

Ervin Hanover took second with Ammo third. Christchurch and Act Fast captured the other spots into next weekend’s final.

It was the fifth straight victory for the son of Sweet Lou owned by breeder Diamond Creek Racing, Pa. and new partner Crossover Racing, Ky. Brian Brown trains Confederate who was making his Canadian debut tonight. His summary improved to 5-0-1 in six starts for just over $300,000 banked.

“My horse is way better at following but the way it shook out I just went ahead and took control. If one of the bettor horses had come I would have followed them. This is a good tightener for him, he hadn’t raced since the (KY) Sires Stakes final in Lexington (September 18). Brian had him ready, he was really sharp tonight. He’s ready to go. I expect him to get through the week healthy. Systems all go, I think he’s a hot horse right now,” praised Tetrick.

There was much talk prior to the race that this was the colt’s first start on Lasix which Tetrick noted: “They’re doing the right thing giving him Lasix to treat him. For me, the horse is very sharp, it didn’t seem to affect him at all, first start Lasix, he paced home really strong.”

Confederate is the first foal of Geothermal, a half-sister to Diamond Creek’s Charleston as well as another of their star pacing mares, Pure Country, a winner of more than $2 million in her career and a Breeders Crown champion during her rookie season in 2015 at Woodbine Racetrack.

The second elimination saw Metro and Ontario Sires Stakes champion Stockade Seelster float out from post 10 to grab the lead for Jody Jamieson just past the opening quarter in :27.2. He paced by the half in :56.2 and the three-quarters in 1:24.

DEXTER DUNN AND HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE, WHO SAT FIFTH THROUGH THE EARLY GOING AND CAME FIRST UP JUST BY THE HALF AND ADVANCED STEADILY IN THE OUTER LANE, PACED HARD ON THE OUTSIDE TO GO BY THE LEADER TO WIN IN 1:51.4

Doug McNair had Huntinthelastdolar flying late to take second while Stockade Seelster held for third. Combustion and Tip Top Cat also advanced to the final.

“He really gives 100 per cent when he’s on the track, tonight he felt great. You can do whatever you want with him, he’s a true professional,” complimented Dunn.

“Every race he’s raced well, he got a little better down in Kentucky. Dexter was thrilled with him tonight, so was I, I thought he raced really good. My horse made his own race coming first over against a very good horse, I’m just thrilled with him,” noted trainer Chris Ryder.

A son of Lazarus N, Handlelikeaporsche is co-owned by Ryder, William Ezzo, Robert Mondillo and Barry Spak. The colt improved his summary to 4-3-0 in just seven starts with $245,000 on his card. He is the first foal of a half-sister to millionaire Vegas Vacation.

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Colt Pace

1 – Tip Top Cat (Ron Burke) 2 – Handlelikeporsche (Chris Ryder) 3 – Confederate (Brian Brown) 4 – Christchurch (Nancy Takter) 5 – Huntinthelastdollar (Gregg McNair) 6 – Combustion (Brett Pelling) 7 – Stockade Seelster (Dr. Ian Moore) 8 – Act Fast (Ron Burke) 9 – Ammo (Joe Holloway) 10 – Ervin Hanover (Ron Burke) AE - Save America (Nancy Takter)

SYLVIA HANOVER AND CHARLESTON TAKE CROWN ELIMINATIONS

Ray Cotolo for Hambletonian Society/Woodbine

Photos by New Image Media

MILTON, October 21, 2022 - The first- and second-place finishers in the Shes A Great Lady last month at Woodbine Mohawk Park are set to spar again over the Campbellville oval after Sylvia Hanover and Charleston took their respective $33,750 eliminations for the Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Pace on Friday night (Oct. 21).

Driver Bob McClure moved Sylvia Hanover out of fourth for the lead after a :26.3 first quarter set by Hungry For Love. McClure kept the reins high and the whip in the air through a :56.3 half as McSeaside swept three wide from the back and began a blitz on the lead to the final turn.

McSeaside cleared Sylvia Hanover into the final turn with Horizontal moving first over from fourth and gaining towards the pacesetter nearing three-quarters. By the third panel in 1:24.2, McSeaside staved the outside challenge of Horizontal all through the stretch, but McClure had ample room to swing off the pegs and to the center of the track with Sylvia Hanover for a final-sixteenth lunge to victory by a length in a 1:51.4 mile. McSeaside held second from Horizontal, with Light And Tight and Proud Mary rounding those advancing to the final next week.

“I kind of let Dexter [Dunn] go,” Bob McClure said after the race. “He was coming really hard, and [Sylvia Hanover’s] been front-ended a lot. I didn’t mind following that one, I figured [she] was going to keep going. And a short field – I was pretty confident we’d get out eventually. I didn’t mind the way it worked out there, but she’s pretty professional. She’s not like most 2-year-olds.”

WINNING HER SEVENTH RACE FROM EIGHT STARTS, SYLVIA HANOVER HAS NOW BANKED $498,300 FOR OWNER HUDSON STANDARDBRED STABLE INC.

The Hanover Shoe Farms-bred daughter of Always B Miki, from the Artiscape mare Shyaway, has been part of a record-setting campaign for the Steacy training operation, which is having its first season with over $2-million in earnings.

“We’ve had a really good year,” said Mark Steacy, father of Sylvia Hanover’s trainer Shawn Steacy. “Hopefully with a win next week, it will make it really impressive. We all work hard at it, and when you do that it usually comes together.

Of Sylvia Hanover, Mark Steacy also said “There’s no end to her. She always seems to give you that little extra. The biggest worry part with her is she gets a little lazy from time to time. And my concern going into this race was [that] it was four weeks from race to race. She schooled a couple times, but it’s not the same as racing.”

Sylvia Hanover paid $2.90 to win.

Charleston, second to Sylvia Hanover in the Shes A Great Lady, posted the faster mile of the two eliminations when she outdueled Strong Poison in the stretch to a 1:50.4 victory.

Strong Poison set an uncontested tempo of :27.4, :56.1 and 1:23.4 with Zanatta drafting from the pocket and Charleston waiting in third. Driver Dexter Dunn pulled Charleston from the pegs midway around the final turn and marched towards Strong Poison, who battled to the inside all through the stretch. The pair scooted well clear of the rest as Charleston kept a neck in front of Strong Poison to the finish. Bellisima Hanover finished well back in third with Zanatta and Sweet Amira rounding the finalists.

“She felt great,” Dexter Dunn said after the race. “She’s been progressing really, really well this year. [We’ve] sort of aimed at this for a long time. [She had] a nice qualifier after the break and a real nice performance tonight. It was a big mile. We got away in a pretty handy spot, but we had to work for it late in the stretch. [Sylvia Hanover] was obviously great again tonight. She’s an amazing filly herself, so we’ll look forward to another battle with her.”

BRETT PELLING TRAINS CHARLESTON, A DIAMOND CREEK FARM HOMEBRED DAUGHTER OF DOWNBYTHESEASIDE FROM THE WESTERN HANOVER MARE WESTERN MONTANA. SHE COLLECTED HER SIXTH VICTORY FROM EIGHT STARTS AND DEPOSITED TO HER ACCOUNT NOW WORTH $186,350. SHE PAID $3.40 TO WIN.

As the elimination winners, Sylvia Hanover and Charleston earn the privilege to draw between posts 1 and 5 for the $600,000 final, which goes to post next Friday (Oct. 28) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Filly Pace

1 – Charleston (Brett Pelling) 2 – Strong Poison (Ron Burke) 3 – Horizontal (Kevin Benn) 4 – Mcseaside (Ron Burke) 5 – Sylvia Hanover (Shawn Steacy) 6 – Light And Tight (Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman) 7 – Proud Mary (Chris Ryder) 8 – Sweet Amira (Chantal Mitchell) 9 – Bellisima Hanover (Tony Alagna) 10 – Zanatta (Jenn Bongiorno) AE - Caviart Davia (Tony Alagna)

A SPECIAL FILLY IN BREEDERS CROWN ELIM FOR ROOKIE TROTTERS

Heather MacKay for Hambletonian Society/Woodbine

Photo by New Image Media

MILTON, October 21, 2022 – Special Way extended her winning streak to six with an impressive victory in the lone $33,750 Breeders Crown elimination for two-year-old trotting fillies tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The top eight finishers from tonight’s elim will be joined by the two talented trotters who received byes into the final. Righteous Resolve, the only Ontario-sired filly in the mix, earned the bye as the highest money earner of the group with well over a half a million on her card from nine starts to date. The Chapter Seven daughter Instagram Model garnered the other spot direct to the final as the winner of the Jim Doherty Memorial final.

As the race got underway it was Secret Volo taking early control for Brian Sears from post eight but they were covered up by Mambacita at the tepid opening quarter in :29. She led the rookies by the easy :58.1 half and just past that point favourite Special Way popped out of third and was at the leader’s wheel at the 1:26.2 third panel.

WITH TRAINER AKE SVANSTEDT AT THE LINES, SPECIAL WAY TROTTED ON BY MAMBACITA AND OPENED UP DOWN THE STRETCH TO WIN BY THREE IN 1:54.1.

Walner Payton got up for second for Dexter Dunn while Mambacita, with Yannick Gingras up for the first time, held for third.

Also qualifying for the final, in order, were Silly Me Hanover, Secret Volo, Life Itself, Blonde Bombshell and Tactical Planner.

A daughter of Walner (who had six offspring in this elimination), Special Way is a homebred of Brittany Farms of Kentucky and Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld of Toronto and Pickering, Ontario. Tonight’s win puts her bankroll just over $400,000 from six wins and a second in eight trips behind the gate so far in her debut season.

This was Special Way’s first start on Canadian soil having contested all of her previous races at the Meadowlands and The Red Mile. She came into tonight’s contest off a victory in the Bluegrass Stake in a life best 1:52, after which co-owner Brittany Farm’s George Segal said she might be the best trotting filly he’s owned which is high praise indeed.

There is history in this event in Special Way’s family as her third dam, Honorable Daughter, won the Breeders Crown final for freshman trotting fillies in 2008 at the Meadowlands with John Campbell up for trainer Larry Remmen.

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Filly Trot

1 – Silly Me Hanover (Luc Blais) 2 – Tactical Planner (Dustin Jones) 3 – Instagram Model (Annie Stoebe) 4 – Special Way (Ake Svanstedt) 5 – Mambacita (Tony Alagna) 6 – Walner Payton (Chris Ryder) 7 – Righteous Resolve (John Bax) 8 – Life Itself (Ake Svanstedt) 9 – Blonde Bombshell (Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman) 10 – Secret Volo (Marcus Melander) AE – Shesundertheradar (Ashley Lendvoy)

GAINES HANOVER AND CELEBRITY BAMBINO SCORE IN CROWN ELIMINATIONS

Photos by NEW IMAGE MEDIA

MILTON, October 21, 2022 - Gaines Hanover and driver Louis Philippe Roy took control of the pace at the quarter pole and then went on to a powerful track record setting (2-Year-Gelded Trotter) performance in capturing the first of two $33,750 eliminations for the Breeders Crown 2-year-old colt and gelding division at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday night.

THE ALTERED SON OF CANTAB HALL SCORED IN A PERSONAL BEST 1:53 CLOCKING.

Sent off as the 5-2 second choice Gaines Hanover and Roy left between horses in the early stages as Gates Hanover left hard inside of him for Ake Svanstedt and The Gruffalo and Winners Bet, the race favorite left outside.

Gates Hanover cleared to the front first followed by The Gruffalo with Todd McCarthy in the bike. With Winners Bet leaving outside of him Roy elected to drive on with Gaines Hanover keeping Winners Bet three deep into the turn and forcing driver Dexter Dunn to settle in fourth before the quarter. Roy and Gaines Hanover drove to the front clocking the opening fraction in :27 4/5.

With much of the field settled in behind him Gaines Hanover and Roy hit the half in :56 2/5 and kept a lively clip going through the third quarter in 1:24 3/5. When rival Gates Hanover pulled on the turn and miscued Gaines Hanover sprinted clear away from his rivals leaving the battle for minor honors and a position in next week’s rich final.

The Gruffalo won the battle for the place spot late as Osceola and driver Doug McNair rallied impressively along the pylons to secure the third spot.

Winners Bet finished fourth guaranteeing a spot in the lucrative final with Spitfire Oversees finishing fifth and reaching the final with the higher earnings of the two fifth-place elimination finishers.

Gaines Hanover is trained by Richard Moreau for owner Gestion J Y Blais Inc of Montreal.

A winner of the Champlain Stakes earlier this year over the Woodbine Mohawk surface, Gaines Hanover won for the third time in six career starts and returned $7.50 as a win mutuel.

“That wasn’t really the plan,” said Roy of a decision to drive on heading into the first turn. “My horse is pretty green it was tough to evaluate him.”

Roy was most impressive by the gelding. “I didn’t know he was going that fast to the half, he trots so efficiently,” Roy said.

Celebrity Bambino and driver Yannick Gingras overcame post nine and posted a minor upset defeating 2-5 favorite and Mohawk Million winner Oh Well in the second $33,750 Crown elimination winning in 1:53 2/5.

The complexion of the race changed early when Crantini broke behind the gate, but Kierkegaard K and Ake Svanstedt left with purpose to take control into the opening bend. Celebrity Bambino and Gingras marched forward to get control at the quarter in :28 1/5.

International Man and driver Dexter Dunn were parked from the outset and needed three-eighths of the mile to clear the front. International Man hit the half in :57 and continued uncontested until Gingras pulled the pocket before the field hit three quarters in 1:25. Celebrity Bambino had favored Oh Well and driver Tim Tetrick breathing down his back into the stretch but the Muscle Hill-sired colt would not be denied on this night trotting powerfully with a :28 2/5 final quarter to win comfortable at odds of 7-1. Oh Well saved ground most of the way but had no answer for the winner in the stretch but did secure the place with early leader Kierkegaard K third over the wire. Dire Straits finished fourth for driver David Miller with fifth place finisher Buckhead Ridge failing to reach the final with limited earnings.

CELEBRITY BAMBINO WAS A WINNER FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS YEAR IN JUST EIGHT STARTS FOR TRAINER RON BURKE. THE MUSCLE HILL-SIRED COLT IS OWNED BY BURKE RACING STABLE LLC, J & T SILVA STABLE, KNOX SERVICES INC., AND PHILLIP COLLURA.

Celebrity Bambino returned $17.40 to win.

“He was my favorite colt training down,” said Gingras of Celebrity Bambino in the winner’s circle. “All credit to Ronnie (Burke). The colt got sick, and Ronnie gave him time to recover.”

Kilmister, the winner of this year’s Peter Haughton Memorial joins the nine qualifiers in the $600,000 final on Friday October 28.

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Colt Trot

1 – Gaines Hanover (Richard Moreau) 2 – The Gruffalo (Mark Harder) 3 – Kierkegaard K (Ake Svanstedt) 4 – Celebrity Bambino (Ron Burke) 5 – Kilmister (Marcus Melander) 6 – Spitfire Oversees (Dominic Gladu) 7 – Osceola (Gregg McNair) 8 – Winners Bet (Domenico Cecere) 9 – Oh Well (Marcus Melander) 10 – Dire Straits (Mattias Melander) AE – Buckhead Ridge (Gregg McNair)

Ray Cotolo, for Woodbine Communications

Photos By New Image Media

MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Double-digit dividends paid off the winners of each $33,750 elimination for the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Trot on Saturday night (Oct. 22) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with King Of The North delivering at odds of 28-1 and Double Deceiver scoring at 7-1.

Leaving from post 9, driver Mark MacDonald hustled King Of The North off the wings and kept him flat to lead to a :26.4 first quarter with Twin B Archie in the pocket and Pretender racing third. King Of The North continued to roll on the lead through a :55.4 half while readying for a first-over challenge from Pretender. MacDonald then uncorked the Ray Schnittker trainee to three-quarters and widened to an open-length lead to three-quarters in 1:23.

Clear coming for home, King Of The North soon faced a diminishing lead with Branded By Lindy closing ground from a second-over trip. Branded By Lindy loomed nearer with each stride, but King Of The North clung to victory by a half length in 1:51.1. Fast As The Wind closed for third with Hambletonian champ Cool Papa Bell and Twin B Archie rounding the finalists.

“He’s a super sure-footed horse, he just kind of touched his knee a little bit and put a bobble in,” Mark MacDonald said after the race. “I was ready for him; he’ll do that sometimes, so I had a good hold of him and he just came right back trotting. He was still wanting to get into gear, so I kept going forward.”

“He’s a good horse,” MacDonald also said. “I think I read his obituary in August on the USTA, but we started the year off and were just trying to target him… and unfortunately, he made a break in the Hambletonian. We were targeting him for the later races. If we come out of here with a Breeders Crown ‘W’, it’d still be a successful year.”

King Of The North added to an account now worth $829,255 with his seventh victory from 22 starts. The Walner colt, from the Donato Hanover mare Check Me Out, races for owners Schnittker War, Arden Homestead Stable, Nolamaura Racing LLC and Steven Arnold. Steve Jones and Ray Schnittker bred the colt who paid $59.20 to win.

A lane opened at the pylons for ground-saving Double Deceiver to dash through and outsprint Slay to the finish of a 1:52.4 mile in the first elimination.

World At War Deo darted from the outermost post in the octet to lead the field by a :28.1 first quarter before Temporal Hanover swept to the front up the backside. Temporal Hanover then coasted around the final turn as Golden Wall As pushed uncovered along the rim with Slay in tow and Double Deceiver sticking to the cones in the rear of the field.

Past three-quarters in 1:25.1, the field swarmed Temporal Hanover as he drifted and soon retreated through the pack. Golden Wall As surged to a narrow lead in midstretch until Double Deceiver accelerated through the gap developed at the pylons for a near-last to first blitz in the stretch. Slay slung off Golden Wall As’s cover to give chase but only gave pursuit to take second in a 1:52.4 mile, beaten a head. Golden Wall As finished third with Keg Stand and World At War Deo completing the finalists.

“I never used him, stayed to the inside and when we got room, he exploded,” winning driver David Miller said after the race. “If he’d had gotten room [in the Kentucky Futurity], he would’ve been real close. In hindsight… yeah, it didn’t hurt him. But I’m just glad to see him get into the final and actually win. Now we’re looking pretty good.”

Double Deceiver, a gelding by Cantab Hall from the Donato Hanover mare Sarcy, collected his 10th win from 23 starts and has now earned $568,354 for owner Pinske Stables. Carter Pinske trains the gelding bred by Steve Stewart and Oakwood Farms who paid $17.90 to win.

With their elimination victories, King Of The North and Double Deceiver earned a protected draw between posts 1 and 5 for the $675,000 final next Saturday (Oct. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Heather MacKay, for Woodbine Communications

Photos by New Image Media

MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Jiggy Jog S and Joviality S were impressive winners in the two $33,750 Breeders Crown eliminations for three-year-old trotting fillies tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park with the former establishing a new track and Canadian record with her 1:51.2 performance.

Her division was reduced by one with the scratch of Lilbitalexis. That race saw Doug McNair send Baby Longstocking straight to the front from post 10 but she was quickly passed by Fashion Schooner well before the :28 first quarter.

Tim Tetrick had Fashion Schooner by the half in :56.3 and the three quarters in 1:23.4. He tried to open up a few lengths on the competition but it wasn’t enough to hold off favourite Jiggy Jog S and Dexter Dunn who were first at the wire reached in 1:51.2. Fashion Schooner held for second. Also qualifying for next week’s final were Raised By Lindy, Bare My Soul and Venerable.

The time represents a new track record at the Campbellville oval as well as a Canadian record for two-year-old trotting fillies on a seven-eighths mile track, shaving a tick off the previous standard set two years ago by Sorella.

“We got away in a good spot following Yannick’s horse (Raised By Lindy). We weren’t too far off them and coming to the three-quarters we had a good helmet to follow. Timmy did get away on us but she’s so sharp right now. Her win in the Filly Futurity was massive. As soon as I tipped her off cover she accelerated quick,” explained Dunn.

Heading into next week’s final he noted: “It’s a great bunch, obviously Joviality is an amazing filly, it will be a good race for sure. My filly won on the front at Lexington, she came from behind tonight, she’s very versatile. We’ll see how it goes.”

As for the track record he said: “She was doing it pretty easy, she definitely had a lot more left tonight. It’s exciting going into next week.”

Ake Svanstedt trains the winner for owner Jorgen Sparredal of Florida. Tonight’s effort improved her summary to 7-3-0 in 12 outings this year.

It was Tetrick on top early in the first elimination as well with Misswalner Fashion who trotted by the opening quarter in :26.4. She was covered up by last weekend’s Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final winner Mischievous Rose well before the :55.2 half and she hit the third quarter in 1:24.3 for Louis-Philippe Roy.

As they entered the lane it appeared to be a three way race between Mischevious Rose, Misswalner Fashion and Pure Countess but never count out a favourite with Brian Sears in the bike.

Joviality S never saw the rail throughout the race getting away in eighth in the early going and picking up some cover in the outer lane on the backside. As the field raced towards the finish Joviality was four or five wide and closing hard causing announcer Ken Middleton to declare: “This filly is flat out flying.” She flew by her competition to win in 1:52.1.

It was a close finish for the remaining qualifying spots in the final earned, in order, by Misswalner Fashion, Pure Countess, Warrawee Xenia and Mischievous Rose.

A daughter of Chapter Seven owned by Courant Inc. of Florida, Joviality is trained by Marcus Melander who admitted he wasn’t too confident when he saw the trip she was getting.

“In the last turn I thought this will be tough. I thought she was going to make the final but it’s so important to win to draw one through five. She’s had such bad luck drawing bad, even tonight she had the nine hole and she overcame it. We will get a good draw for next week.”

For the winner it was her 11th win in 14 trips this year and ups her 2022 bankroll over one million. The Breeders Crown winner during her freshman season, Joviality now has $1.9 million earned in her impressive career to date.

“She’s racing great the whole season. She started out in May and we’re here in October and she’s still in form. She’s just a great horse,” praised Melander.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms

Photos By New Image Media

MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Two standout sophomore colts, Pebble Beach and Bythemissal, punched their tickets to the big dance in a pair of $33,750 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace eliminations, Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

In a week’s time, Pebble Beach and Bythemissal will find out if they are fit for a ‘Crown.’

On this night, each showed they have the credentials to lay claim to that coronation.

The first division saw an absolutely dominating performance courtesy of Pebble Beach.

Birthday, 35-1, was sent to the front early with fellow longshot 33-1 Dalby Hanover picking up the chase in second, Magical Arthur sat third and 1-5 choice Pebble Beach tucked in fourth through an opening panel in :26.2.

Pebble Beach was then on the move, as Todd McCarthy guided the multiple stakes winner to the front and through a half in :54.1.

Ahead by 2 ½ lengths after three-quarters reached in 1:22.0, Pebble Beach, coming into his Crown elimination off a victory in the $363,500 Tattersalls Pace on October 9, darted away from his rivals with ease down the lane, cruising to a geared down 2 ¾-length triumph in 1:48.3.

Birthday held for second, while a hard-charging Ponda Warrior rallied to net third spot. Also qualifying for next Saturday’s final were Fourever Boy and Dreamfair Arnie B, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

With the win, Pebble Beach is undefeated in four starts at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with his biggest win coming in the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup on June 18.

“This was the best he’s been,” said trainer Noel Daley. “He finished it off. Todd said he was like a different horse tonight. I don’t know if it was the Lasix that made the difference but tonight, that was even better than he was earlier in the year. He was really sharp during the week here, literally kicking his shoes off in the paddock. So, I’m glad he just finished it off and showed that he’s back to form.”

After some tough recent results at The Red Mile, Pebble Beach was back on track and back in the winner’s circle.

“You know, it was disappointing all the time,” offered Daley. “I just knew he was better than that.”

A son of Downbytheseaside, Pebble Beach posted his 14th win in 25 starts this season and has now amassed over $1.4 million in lifetime earnings for owners Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Country Club Acres and LAExpressFoderaDeoVolente.

Bred by Brittany Farm, the bay colt was an $85,000 purchase at the 2020 Lexington Select Sale as Hip No. 710.

Bythemissal continued his dream season with a strong effort in the second elimination.

It was second choice on the tote board I Did It Myway who overtook Greatest Ending for the lead into the first turn, with Bythemissal sitting third and Mad Max Hanover in fourth, as the pacesetter brought the field to the opening quarter in :27.2.

Chris Page, in rein to Bythemissal, was on the march soon after, and the duo struck front, 1 ½ lengths ahead of I Did It Myway after a half reached in :54.4.

The pair were still one-two after three-quarters in 1:23.0 and began to pull away from their foes down the lane. I Did It My Way looked to reel in his rival in the late going, but Bythemissal wouldn’t be denied, going on to post a three-quarter length score in 1:49.1. Greatest Ending, Mad Max Hanover and Captain Cowboy also earned a spot in next Saturday’s final.

“I’m always a little apprehensive, who’s on the outside, but the horse felt really good,” said Page. “Kind of got a nice third-quarter breather, so I knew he’d have a pretty good punch coming home.”

It was yet another polished performance from this year’s Little Brown Jug victor, trained by Ron Burke, who co-owns with Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The Downbytheseaside-Dismissal gelding became the first Ohio-bred Jug champion since 1988 winner BJ Scoot.

Now, the bay who won his only two-year-old start, banking $3,000 for the victory, will have the opportunity to add another piece of serious standardbred hardware to his connections’ trophy case.

Bythemissal will also carry a five-race win streak into next Saturday’s showdown with Pebble Beach and eight other rivals.

“Who would’ve thought that from there [Little Brown Jug], I would be here talking to you for the Breeders Crown,” Page told Mark McKelvie after the race. “To win the Jug, that was definitely the top of my bucket list, and this is up there near the top, so we’ve got to finish next week.”

With the win, Bythemissal, who paid $3.50 for the win, is now 13-2-0 from 15 starts.

Bred by Stephen Dey, the gelding was a $135,000 purchase (Hip No. 794) at the 2020 Lexington Select Sale.

Jay Bergman, for Woodbine Communications

Photos By New Image Media MILTON, October 22, 2022 - Test Of Faith and driver David Miller made it interesting but got the job done for the 33rd time in her brilliant career capturing the first of two $33,750 eliminations for the Breeders Crown Mare Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night. The 4-year-old daughter of Art Major held off local favourite So Much More by a nose in a 1:50 1/5 mile.

Test Of Faith had the outside draw in the seven mare field and Miller waited patiently in the early stages allowing first Amazing Dream and then So Much More exchange the lead before moving Test Of Faith with purpose. Following an opening quarter in :26 4/5 Miller and Test Of Faith gained control and from that point set fractions of :55 1/5 and 1:22 4/5 for the middle half with little change in the order as the competition awaited the stretch to tackle the 2021 Horse of the Year.

Amazing Dream and Yannick Gingras pulled first with Chase Lounge second over and Mikala coming up third over while off the leader.

Miller didn’t move a muscle in the stretch but Test Of Faith bore out a bit allowing So Much More and James MacDonald ample room to make a challenge.

So Much More was able to gain ground but Miller confidently nudged Test Of Faith and the brilliant mare responded just enough to keep her nose in front for the win. So Much More would settle for second. Mikala made up good ground for George Brennan to finish third followed by Amazing Dream N and Chase Lounge. The top five will return for the final on October 29.

Trained by Brett Pelling for owners Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Eddie Gran, Test Of Faith won for the fifth straight time this season as she looks for her second straight Breeders Crown trophy. Sent off as the heavy favourite Test Of Faith returned $2.40 to win. “She dug in and was pacing pretty hard to the wire,” Miller said following the victory. “She has a tendency to wait on them when she’s on the lead.”

The second $33,750 Breeders Crown elimination saw driver Doug McNair move from last to first in the homestretch as the 9-5 favourite to get up in a three-mare photo on the wire of a 1:51 2/5 mile. The 4-year-old by Always B Miki found a seam between horses in the final eighth and was airborne crossing the wire for her sixth win of the year.

Easy To Please and Racine Bell both left with purpose with the former grabbing the front into the first turn and the latter taking over as the :27 4/5 first quarter was passed. Brian Sears guided Racine Bell through a pedestrian half of :56 4/5 before Gias Surreal went on the offensive for driver Bob McClure at the half. No Win No Feed A and Dabarndawgswatchin followed second and third over as Racine Bell managed three quarters in 1:24 2/5 and started her sprint home for Sears.

In the homestretch Gias Surreal backed off but No Win No Feed A was closing in steadily on the leader. Easy To Please in the pocket struggled to find racing room as did Fire Start Hanover. In midstretch Grace Hill was able to clear off the pylons and slide into the four path where McNair asked her to pace, and she accelerated instantly.

Grace Hill finished on the far outside just ahead of No Win No Feed A with Racine Bell not far behind in third. Easy To Please cleared late to finish fourth with Gias Surreal holding the final qualifying berth.

Grace Hill is owned by Tom Hill of Hamilton and trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. “We got room when we needed it,” said McNair following the victory. “She dug in.” Grace Hill returned $5.80 as the betting choice.

Heather MacKay for Hambletonian Society/Woodbine

Photos By New Image Media

MILTON, October 21, 2022 - Two rookie pacing colts, Confederate and Handlelikeaporsche, made their first Canadian starts winning ones in two $33,750 Breeders Crown eliminations tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

One race after his aunt, Charleston, captured her Breeders Crown elimination, Confederate also visited the winners’ circle following the first split for two-year-old pacing colts.

The first division was reduced by one with the scratch of Sounds Good. Ervin Hanover was the swiftest afoot early from post eight and he was covered up by favourite Confederate at the :27.3 first quarter. With Tim Tetrick at the controls, Confederate tripped the halfway timer in :56.2 and was by the third quarter in 1:23.4.

Down the stretch several colts attempted to challenge but Confederate held strong and was at the wire in 1:50.2

Ervin Hanover took second with Ammo third. Christchurch and Act Fast captured the other spots into next weekend’s final.

It was the fifth straight victory for the son of Sweet Lou owned by breeder Diamond Creek Racing, Pa. and new partner Crossover Racing, Ky. Brian Brown trains Confederate who was making his Canadian debut tonight. His summary improved to 5-0-1 in six starts for just over $300,000 banked.

“My horse is way better at following but the way it shook out I just went ahead and took control. If one of the bettor horses had come I would have followed them. This is a good tightener for him, he hadn’t raced since the (KY) Sires Stakes final in Lexington (September 18). Brian had him ready, he was really sharp tonight. He’s ready to go. I expect him to get through the week healthy. Systems all go, I think he’s a hot horse right now,” praised Tetrick.

There was much talk prior to the race that this was the colt’s first start on Lasix which Tetrick noted: “They’re doing the right thing giving him Lasix to treat him. For me, the horse is very sharp, it didn’t seem to affect him at all, first start Lasix, he paced home really strong.”

Confederate is the first foal of Geothermal, a half-sister to Diamond Creek’s Charleston as well as another of their star pacing mares, Pure Country, a winner of more than $2 million in her career and a Breeders Crown champion during her rookie season in 2015 at Woodbine Racetrack.

The second elimination saw Metro and Ontario Sires Stakes champion Stockade Seelster float out from post 10 to grab the lead for Jody Jamieson just past the opening quarter in :27.2. He paced by the half in :56.2 and the three-quarters in 1:24.

Dexter Dunn and Handlelikeaporsche, who sat fifth through the early going and came first up just by the half and advanced steadily in the outer lane, paced hard on the outside to go by the leader to win in 1:51.4

Doug McNair had Huntinthelastdolar flying late to take second while Stockade Seelster held for third. Combustion and Tip Top Cat also advanced to the final.

“He really gives 100 per cent when he’s on the track, tonight he felt great. You can do whatever you want with him, he’s a true professional,” complimented Dunn.

“Every race he’s raced well, he got a little better down in Kentucky. Dexter was thrilled with him tonight, so was I, I thought he raced really good. My horse made his own race coming first over against a very good horse, I’m just thrilled with him,” noted trainer Chris Ryder.

A son of Lazarus N, Handlelikeaporsche is co-owned by Ryder, William Ezzo, Robert Mondillo and Barry Spak. The colt improved his summary to 4-3-0 in just seven starts with $245,000 on his card. He is the first foal of a half-sister to millionaire Vegas Vacation.

MILTON, October 21, 2022 – The post position draws for six of next weekend’s Breeders Crown finals took place Friday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Friday’s card saw the fields for the quartet of Breeders Crown two-year-old events determined through several elimination races. The 2-Year-Old Colt Pace, 2-Year-Old Colt Trot and 2-Year-Old Filly Pace all required two eliminations each. The 2-Year-Old Filly Trot saw a single elimination contested.

Following the eliminations, the post position draw for all four events were held. Elimination winners and the “Win and You’re In” horses (Kilmister, Instagram Model) drew for posts one through five, while all remaining horses then went into a draw for the remaining posts.

Here are the fields for the 2-Year-Old Breeders Crown events.

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Colt Trot

1 – Gaines Hanover (Richard Moreau) 2 – The Gruffalo (Mark Harder) 3 – Kierkegaard K (Ake Svanstedt) 4 – Celebrity Bambino (Ron Burke) 5 – Kilmister (Marcus Melander) 6 – Spitfire Oversees (Dominic Gladu) 7 – Osceola (Gregg McNair) 8 – Winners Bet (Domenico Cecere) 9 – Oh Well (Marcus Melander) 10 – Dire Straits (Mattias Melander) AE – Buckhead Ridge (Gregg McNair)

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Filly Trot

1 – Silly Me Hanover (Luc Blais) 2 – Tactical Planner (Dustin Jones) 3 – Instagram Model (Annie Stoebe) 4 – Special Way (Ake Svanstedt) 5 – Mambacita (Tony Alagna) 6 – Walner Payton (Chris Ryder) 7 – Righteous Resolve (John Bax) 8 – Life Itself (Ake Svanstedt) 9 – Blonde Bombshell (Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman) 10 – Secret Volo (Marcus Melander) AE – Shesundertheradar (Ashley Lendvoy)

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Colt Pace

1 – Tip Top Cat (Ron Burke) 2 – Handlelikeporsche (Chris Ryder) 3 – Confederate (Brian Brown) 4 – Christchurch (Nancy Takter) 5 – Huntinthelastdollar (Gregg McNair) 6 – Combustion (Brett Pelling) 7 – Stockade Seelster (Dr. Ian Moore) 8 – Act Fast (Ron Burke) 9 – Ammo (Joe Holloway) 10 – Ervin Hanover (Ron Burke) AE - Save America (Nancy Takter)

$600,000 Breeders Crown – 2-Year-Old Filly Pace

1 – Charleston (Brett Pelling) 2 – Strong Poison (Ron Burke) 3 – Horizontal (Kevin Benn) 4 – Mcseaside (Ron Burke) 5 – Sylvia Hanover (Shawn Steacy) 6 – Light And Tight (Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman) 7 – Proud Mary (Chris Ryder) 8 – Sweet Amira (Chantal Mitchell) 9 – Bellisima Hanover (Tony Alagna) 10 – Zanatta (Jenn Bongiorno) AE - Caviart Davia (Tony Alagna)

Only two Breeders Crown events did not require eliminations. The 3-Year-Old Filly Pace attracted 11 entrants, while the Mare Trot landed with eight entrants.

The draws for both events took place early Friday evening. The fields are listed below:

$600,000 Breeders Crown - 3-Year-Old Filly Pace

1 – Queen Of Success (Tony Alagna) 2 – Boudoir Hanover (Tony Alagna) 3 – Sweet Kisses (Ron Burke) 4 – Sea Silk (Ron Burke) 5 – Prohibition Legal (Nick Gallucci) 6 – Treacherous Dragon (Nancy Takter) 7 – Max Contract (Julie Miller) 8 – Just Divine (Ron Burke) 9 – Silver Label (Nick Gallucci) 10 – Niki Hill (Chris Ryder) 11 – Galleria Hanover (Ron Burke)

$350,000 Breeders Crown – Mare Trot

1 – Hp Mama B (Jean Tourigny) 2 – Sorella (Nancy Takter) 3 – Next Level Stuff (Jim Campbell) 4 – Amazone Duharas (Denis Gueriel) 5 – Bella Bellini (Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman) 6 – Refined (Virgil Moran Jr.) 7 – Atlanta (Ron Burke) 8 – When Dovescry (Brett Pelling)

The 2-Year-Old Breeders Crown finals will take place next Friday (October 28), while the finals for the 3-Year-Old and Open events will be held next Saturday (October 29).

By John Sacco

Photo: Lisaphoto

She has proven she can beat the best.

Now, it is time for Watch Me Now N to prove she is the best pacing mare in the Breeders Crown, which begins Friday with eliminations for 2-year-olds at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Watch Me Now N starts her personal quest Saturday in one of two $25,000 eliminations of the Mare Pace. A finish in the top five will advance her to the $400,000 final on Oct. 29.

For Watch Me Now N, the time is now.

Watch Me Now N, who finished third in the Milton Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park in September, is owned by Curtin ANZ Stables and trained by Tony Alagna. Her two victories this season include one over Test Of Faith, a returning Breeders Crown champion and the 2021 U.S. Horse of the Year, at the Meadowlands earlier this year.

That outcome helped Watch Me Now N enter the Breeders Crown with earnings of $72,681 in 2022. Her connections supplemented her to the Breeders Crown for $42,000.

Watch Me Now N will start her Breeders Crown elim from post one with Tim Tetrick driving and is 10-1 on the morning line. She will be joined in the open mare pace by Voelz Delight, Chase Lounge, Mikala, Amazing Dream N, So Much More, and 4-5 favorite Test Of Faith.

“She’s one of the few horses who has beaten Test of Faith,” said Steve Wolf, stable manager and corresponding officer for Curtin ANZ Stables. “She’s been sort of a yo-yo. Some races she’s been super. Some races she hasn’t been.”

Wolf said Watch Me Now N’s trainer Tony Alagna convinced owner John Curtin to supplement the horse into the Breeders Crown.

“I’m sure Tony feels she’s going to be competitive,” Wolf said. “Sometimes in horse racing you take chances and some risks. With that there are some rewards. It’s a privilege to race in the Breeders Crown.”

Watch Me Now N has two wins, a second and a third in 13 starts this year. In 38 lifetime starts, she has won 12 races, placed second four times, and finished third five finishes. She has earned $202,290.

Her last start was Oct. 9 in the Allerage Farms Mare Pace at Lexington’s Red Mile, when she finished fourth behind Test Of Faith, No Win No Feed A and Gia’s Surreal, 2-3/4 lengths off the winner.

In the second Breeders Crown elim for the Mare Pace, seven horses will vie for the five spots in the final. That group includes Gia’s Surreal, Fire Start Hanover, No Win No Feed A, Dabarndawgswatchin, Racine Bell, Easy to Please, and 5-2 favorite Grace Hill.

Test Of Faith is third in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll.

“If Test Of Faith is good, nobody is going to beat her,” Wolf said. “Watch Me Now is one of the top five pacing mares in the country.

“I did not expect two divisions. It’s good for the sport. The reality is they could have looked for a filly and mare open and saved the $42,000 supplement fee.”

Racing begins at 7 p.m. (EDT) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. For complete Saturday entries, click here.

Wagering Menus for the Breeders Crown nights will be as follows:

October 21/22 Elimination nights

Early PK5 starting in Race 1: $100k guarantee

Early PK4 starting in Race 4: Late PK5 starting in Race 8:

Late PK4 starting in Race 9:

Jackpot Hi-5 carry-over currently at $30,867.48 (last race on the card) as of October 19, 2022

Friday October 28 Final Night

Early PK5 starting in Race 1: $100k guarantee

Early PK4 starting in Race 4:

Mid-PK5 starting in Race 6: - NEW

Late PK5 starting in Race 8:

Late PK4 starting in Race 9:

Jackpot Hi-5 carry-over currently at $30,867.48 (last race on the card) as of October 19, 2022

Saturday October 29 Final Night

Early PK5 starting in Race 1: $100k guarantee

Early PK4 starting in Race 4:

Mid-PK5 starting in Race 6: $100k guarantee (NOT all stakes, 4 BC races and 1 overnight) - NEW

Late PK5 starting in Race 8:

Late PK4 starting in Race 9: Additional Wager Promotions: IN CANADA ONLY: Please visit your HPIbet for official details and terms.

HPIbet

Promo 1: Players can Opt in to earn 4x the points when you wager $100 or more on Woodbine Mohawk Park on October 28.

IN THE USA ONLY: Please visit your favourite ADW for official details and terms. Xpressbet / 1st Bet –

PROMO 1: The Breeders Crown Bankroll Builder *** THIS STARTS ELIMINATION WEEKEND Spend $100 or more on the Breeders Crown elimination races (Oct 21/22) and earn $25 Bonus to play on Breeders Crown Finals night. (Excludes show wagering) PROMO 2: Breeders Crown Money-Back Special Offer

Opt into the promo, and if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd in the Breeders Crown Finals races on Oct 28 and 29 and get your money back, up to $10.

Twinspires –

PROMO 1: Breeders Crown championship WIN Challenge.

Hit all 12 Breeders Crown championship final winners and split a $10,000 pot.

PROMO 2: Championship Late Pick 4 Hit and Split

On both championship nights, October 28/29, hit the pick 4, in the final 4 Breeders Crown races on each card, and split a $5,000 pot. (Pick 4 start race will be confirmed with draw) TVG/FanDuel Racing -

PROMO 1: Championship Pick 5 Hit and Split

Available each championship night, October 28/29, hit the championship Mid Pick 5 and split a $5,000 pot. (Pick 5 start race will be confirmed with draw)

Woodbine Mohawk Park Venue Information

Woodbine Mohawk Park – Breeders Crown Event page https://woodbine.com/mohawk/events/breeders-crown/

Woodbine Mohawk Park Perks

Woodbine Mohawk Park Handicapping Page: https://woodbine.com/mohawk/handicapping/

Woodbine Mohawk Park Free Programs: https://woodbine.com/mohawk/free-programs/

Friday Night Elimination Program Pages: https://woodbine.com/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/free_programs/Free_Program_WOH_2022-10-21.pdf

MILTON, September 14, 2022 – The launch of the 2022 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge (BCCC), sponsored by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is at the post.

Established in 2019 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the BCCC has raised more than $800,000 for local charities of each year’s Breeders Crown host track. In 2021, the challenge set a new event record, raising over $400,000 for charities in The Meadowlands (East Rutherford, New Jersey) area.

This year’s event is also shaping up to be something special.

The format showcases four teams, with each entry comprised of a prominent owner, their charity of choice, and a Woodbine leading driver, competing to net the largest donation amount from a minimum pool of $200,000.

The four teams are listed below:

Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair – Charity: Milton District Hospital Foundation

Team Determination/Bob McClure – Charity: Kids Help Phone Line

Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald – Charity: Pine River Institute

Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy – Charity: Peter Munk Cardiac Centre - SickKids Hospital Toronto

Each team has pledged $25,000, which guarantees their charity of choice a minimum donation in that amount. An additional $100,000 has been raised through donations made by industry participants.

With a minimum $25,000 guaranteed to be directed to each charity, the additional monies will be decided through a Driver Challenge and Social Media Challenge.

“This is a great addition to an already exciting event,” said Bob McClure. “It’s one more thing that adds to the excitement of the Breeders Crown. I’m really happy to be part of it.”

A sentiment echoed by reinsman Doug McNair.

“I’m looking forward to teaming up with my fellow drivers to help raise money for some very worthwhile charities.”

$50,000 will be distributed to the charities based on each driver’s performance in the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Lampman Cup standings. The team with the driver earning the most points in the OSS season will be awarded $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000, respectively, based on each driver’s ranking in the standings.

$50,000 will be directed to the charities based on each team’s social media engagement. The team creating the most engagement by using their team hashtag will earn $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, based on each team’s engagement numbers.

The team hashtags are listed below. Supporters are asked to go on Twitter and use the hashtag of their favourite team and also include #CrownCharity22.

Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair - #GrantUsVictory

Team Determination/Bob McClure - #DeterminedToWin

Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald - #BeckerThanTheRest

Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe - #MeetTheFieldofKatz

The 2022 Breeders Crown presented by Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership will take place on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

“We are looking forward to putting on a first-class event and making this year’s Breeders Crown one of the most memorable editions in its storied history,” said Jim Lawson, Woodbine Entertainment CEO. “From a world-class night of racing, to raising money and awareness for deserving charities, to the support of so many passionate and caring horse people, this year’s Breeders Crown is something we can all truly be proud of."

charity challenge news