stakes recap

By Chris Lomon, Woodbine Mohawk Park ​ 

Warrawee Michelle, with champion horseman Ake Svanstedt at the controls, put on a record-setting performance in Saturday’s $548,000 (CDN) Breeders Crown final Open Mares Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The curtain-raising event on the second night of Breeders Crown action delivered an outstanding opening act.

It was Date Night Hanover and M Ms Dream who scrapped it out for the lead in the early strides with the former eventually seizing command into the first turn, as Elista Hanover, second choice at 7-2, trotted on after not finding a seat along the pylons. Warrawee Michelle, tops on the tote board at 4-5, settled into fifth.

Date Night Hanover called the shots through an opening quarter in :26.2, but David Miller, in the sulky of Elista Hanover, had his miss on the march and on top after a half in :54.3, as Warrawee Michelle, still in the same position, waited for her cue from Svanstedt.

Seconds before the field rounded the turn for home, Elista Hanover was forced to contend with Date Night Hanover, who was guided to the outside for Dexter Dunn and was nearly on even terms with the leader through three-quarters in 1:22.3, while Warrawee Michelle, still fifth, had plenty of work do.

The first bit of drama unfolded when Date Night Hanover broke stride in early stretch, opening the door for Elista Hanover to get the jump on her pursuers.

Under urging from Miller, Elista Hanover dug in gamely as Warrawee Michelle, now in high gear, was steadily gaining on her rival with the wire looming.

At the finish, Warrawee Michelle, who arrived at the race off a nose loss in her Allerage tilt on October 5, eked out a head nod over a game Elista Hanover. Nelsonbriteagle No was third, followed by Emoji Hanover.

The final time of 1:50.2 was the fastest mile ever trotted in Breeders Crown history.

“It was far back in the last turn, but she came home really good,” said Svandstedt, who also trains the bay mare. “It was so tight, so I couldn't see any horses between, but I'm happy that we won.

“She's a very good horse, and good horses are special.”

It was the latest top-shelf accomplishment from Warrawee Michelle, whose notable victories include the 2024 Hambletonian Oaks and Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot. She became just the 11th filly in harness racing history to achieve the Crown-Oaks double.

In August, Warrawee Michelle won the Sebastian K Invitational (Grade 3) for older trotters in 1:50, stamping herself as the fastest 4-year-old trotter ever on a five-eighths-mile track, while delivering Svanstedt his third consecutive victory in the event named after one of his former stars.

For her career, the daughter of Walner-Sound Check is 10-6-4 from 29 starts. She is owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc., Santandrea Inc., and Young Guns. She was bred by Warrawee Farm.

“It's always fun when you're with your friends, when you're with your partners, and when you win, especially when you win a race like this where it looked like the horse was out of the race,” said David Stolz, of Young Guns. “He (Svanstedt) drove the horse beautifully tonight, and it's a thrill here. I love the people here. It's just nice. It's a wonderful place, a great venue.”

Warrawee Michelle was a $200,000 purchase (Hip #100) at the 2022 Lexington Yearling Sale.

She paid $3.60 for tonight’s Breeders Crown win.