stakes recap

By: Ken Weingartner
​Media Relations Manager, U.S. Trotting Association

It was a fairy-tale finish for Storybook Love.

Driven by Todd Ratchford and trained by Matt Bax, both appearing in their first Breeders Crown final, Storybook Love stormed through an opening along the pylons in the stretch to win Friday’s $700,000 (USD) Grade 1 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old trotting fillies by 1-3/4 lengths over Setyoursightshigh in a career-best 1:52.2. Nezuko Kamado S finished third.

“I’m truly at a loss for words,” said the 29-year-old Ratchford, who played professional hockey overseas before beginning his driving career in 2023. “It’s just a feeling that you can’t even explain. It’s just so mind blowing and I’m just so thankful for everything."

Storybook Love got away second behind Sparks and driver Ake Svanstedt heading to the first turn and was fourth by the time Bingo Night, with Tyler Jones, had the top spot in a :27.4 opening quarter. Setyoursightshigh and Dexter Dunn went to the front on the backstretch before yielding to 6-5 favorite Nezuko Kamado S and Scott Zeron in a :55.1 half, with Storybook Love now in fifth.

Nezuko Kamado S continued in front as the field hit three-quarters in 1:23.1, with Ratchford beginning to look for room for Storybook Love from sixth. Storybook Love was able to weave her way outside briefly to advance in the stretch before diving back to the inside ahead of a tiring Sparks as she zipped home in :27.4 to get the win.

“(I was thinking) please open up a little bit more,” Ratchford said about the stretch drive. “And then it did, and she was full of trot. She raced unbelievable. I kind of put her in a tough spot, but that's horseracing, and that’s the way it worked out.”

Said Bax, “I knew the filly was feeling great, but you need a lot of luck and a great drive to win this kind of race. You have to be on point on every aspect, and she came to play today.

“She's a special filly. You always dream and hope that you could be in this position, but to actually be here is pretty amazing.”

Storybook Love is owned by Al Libfeld and Brad Grant. The daughter of Chapter Seven-Stirling Debutant was bred by Alan Troyer and Larry Troyer. She has won four of 12 races this season and hit the board five more times.

“At Woodbine, 24 years ago, my father (John) was in this position with Duke Of York, and he had a great partner in Al Libfeld at that same time,” Bax said, referring to Duke Of York’s 2001 Breeders Crown triumph. “So, I feel like it's a pretty special connection to also be on the same home soil and same owner, and, of course, having Brad along is great too. I feel very blessed.”

Ratchford expressed gratitude to the Bax family and all the connections.

“It's incredible,” Ratchford said. “I'm definitely not where I am today without them. They're a huge part of my success, and I'm just very thankful to be a part of it and have these people believe in me.”

Sent off at odds of 9-2, Storybook Love paid $11.90 to win.