Minors upsets in 3YO Colt Trot Breeders Crown elims

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ambassador Hanover and harness racing trainer-driver Åke Svanstedt took control of the first of two $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings from the start, and dictated the fractions to win in a career best 1:51.2.

With Logan Park finding the pocket and Plumville Prince behind him, Ambassador Hanover dominated through quarters of :27.1, :55.1 and 1:23.3 before striding clear to win by 2-1/4 lengths. Logan Park, who never left the pylons, finished second, and Ritson was best of the rest, including Fly Light, Svanstedt’s other entry, who closed from far back to get fourth. In Range finished fifth to also secure a berth in next Saturday’s (Oct. 30) $650,000 final.

Ambassador Hanover is a Hanover Shoe Farms-bred son of Chapter Seven who has now earned $551,114. Svanstedt shares ownership with Order By Stable, Howard & Judith Taylor and Diamond Creek Farms. Ambassador Hanover paid $9.40 to win.

Svanstedt said he was a little surprised by his colt:

“He was the best I ever felt him.”

In the second elimination for sophomore male trotters, Cuatro De Julio, with Lucas Wallin driving, closed from third-over to upset 1-5 favorite Jujubee in 1:52.2. The Trixton colt settled behind Jujubee mid-pack as Balenciaga and Inaminute Hanover rushed to the top early. Johan Palema sat in the catbird seat through the :27.2 first quarter with Delayed Hanover behind him.

Johan Palema left his cozy spot and, at the :56.1 half, was challenged for the lead in a brief duel by Delayed Hanover, who took over down the stretch to cut three-quarters in 1:25.1. Jujubee, who crept behind Delayed Hanover, had plenty of trot left late in the stretch and closed before Cuatro De Julio, on Jujubee’s tail throughout, stepped easily to the front to win by a neck.

Jujubee finished second with Delayed Hanover third. Dancinginthedark M shook loose late to catch the fourth spot, and Inaminute Hanover made the final finishing fifth.

Marie Ortolan Bar trains Cuatro De Julio, who paid $15,000 to win, for D Farm LLC. Dream With Me Stable is the breeder.

Ortolan Bar said that she has “special shoes for him. We had issues with his feet. We now have shoes he likes. He is a very sensitive, strong horse.”