stakes recap

By Chris Lomon, Woodbine Mohawk Park

Meshuggah took the inside track to victory in the $822,000 (CAD) Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt & Geldings Trot on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Go Dog Go was unleashed from the outside post 10 as the starter car sped away and crossed over to secure the lead into the first turn and through a :26.1 first quarter with Mr Mouton in second and 4-5 choice Emoticon Legacy in third.

Emoticon Legacy, riding a two-race win streak, was on the move along the backstretch and eventually took over the proceedings just ahead of a half in :55.1. Scott Zeron, in the driver’s seat of Meshuggah, had his longshot positioned sixth, as Emoticon Legacy continued to roll along comfortably on the front end.

That scenario changed, however, when Super Chapter came calling seconds before the former reached the three-quarter mark in 1:22.1.

Super Chapter struck front in early stretch, while Go Dog Do continued to be a prominent player, looking to reel in his rival. Meshuggah, meanwhile, had begun to pick up momentum and began to pick off foes, closing resolutely along the rail.

It was still Super Chapter on top in the final yards to the finish, but Meshuggah kept coming with every stride, powering to the front late to record a half-length victory. Super Chapter finished second, to give trainer Marcus Melander and breeder Hanover Shoe Farms a one-two finish, followed by Go Dog Go and Greenma.

The final time was 1:50.1, which produced a stakes record.

“He usually has pretty tactical speed, but off the rail, he's made mistakes before, so we were just trying to get away where we got away, and hope things worked out, and they certainly did,” said Zeron.

On September 27, the bay took the $120,833 final Bluegrass colt and gelding trot division in 1:50.1 at The Red Mile. He was fifth in the Kentucky Futurity, also at Lexington oval, on October 5. ​ 

"These last couple of starts, actually, both weeks in Lexington, he raced really well when we took the shoes off and he was actually coming in this race in very good form,” said Melander. “Of course, you know, he needed a trip, but Scotty gave him one. Like I said, considering the last two races in Lexington, I'm not that surprised, but a little surprised. Of course."

Courant Inc., the colt’s owner, purchased the son of Greenshoe-Starita for $120,000 (Hip #247) at the 2023 Lexington Selected Sale. He originally sold as Starquake Hanover, but Courant’s Anders Strom renamed him for the Swedish extreme metal band Meshuggah (the Yiddish word for crazy). 

Meshuggah debuted in a PA All-Stars split at Pocono and was second, beaten only a neck in 1:57.2. He won a leg and the final of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in 2024 and was third in that year’s Mohawk Million.

He paid $127.10 for his Breeders Crown triumph.