Four Breeders Crown divisions go right to finals

CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY, October 18, 2022– Eliminations are unnecessary in four Breeders Crown divisions – the Open Trot, Mare Trot, Open Pace and 3-Year-Old Filly Pace – with those harness racing fields advancing directly to their finals on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Eliminations for 2-year-olds will be contested Friday, Oct. 21, and eliminations for the Mare Pace and remaining 3-year-old divisions will be Saturday, Oct. 22. All 2-year-old finals are Friday, Oct. 28. The rest of the Crown finals are Oct. 29. Racing begins at 7 p.m. (EDT).

Bulldog Hanover (Shadow Play), the fastest performer in harness racing history with a mark of 1:45.4, leads a group of 11 to the Open Pace. Bulldog Hanover, the unanimous No. 1-ranked horse in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, counts the Canadian Pacing Derby and William R. Haughton Memorial among his 12 victories this season.

Allywag Hanover (Captaintreacherous), fresh off his upset of Bulldog Hanover in the Allerage Farms Open on Oct. 9, also is part of the field with fellow millionaires This Is The Plan (Somebeachsomewhere), Tattoo Artist (Hes Watching), and Workin Ona Mystery (Captaintreacherous). Completing the group are Lou’s Pearlman (Sweet Lou), Abuckabett Hanover (Betting Line), My Pal Joe (Roll With Joe), American Courage (American Ideal), Warrawee Vital (Captaintreacherous), and Poseidon Seelster (Sunshine Beach).

Past champion Amigo Volo (Father Patrick), who won Breeders Crown trophies at ages 2 and 3 in 2019 and 2020, will be joined by returning Breeders Crown winners Jujubee (Creatine) and Ecurie D DK (Infinitif) in an 11-horse field in the Open Trot.

Also entered were 2022 Maple Leaf Trot winner Back Of The Neck, Canada’s 2019 Horse of the Year Forbidden Trade (Kadabra), millionaires Lindy The Great (Crazed) and It’s Academic (Uncle Peter), and Ambassador Hanover (Chapter Seven), Rattle My Cage (Love You), Fashion Frenzie (Archangel), and Logan Park (Archangel).

Two past Breeders Crown champions – Bella Bellini (Bar Hopping) and Next Level Stuff (Sebastian K) – join multiple award-winning Atlanta (Chapter Seven), who is retiring at the end of the season, in the eight-horse field for the Mare Trot. The group also includes millionaires When Dovescry (Muscle Hill) and Sorella (Muscle Hill) as well as Refined (Uncle Peter), Amazone Duharas (Muscle Hill), and HP Mama B (Royalty For Life).

Eleven horses were entered in the 3-Year-Old Filly Pace, including returning Breeders Crown champion and Dan Patch Award-winner Niki Hill (Always B Miki), Fan Hanover winner Treacherous Dragon (Captaintreacherous), Mistletoe Shalee winner Max Contract (Huntsville), Lynch Memorial winner Sweet Kisses (Sweet Lou), and the division’s seasonal leading-money-earner Boudoir Hanover (Captaintreacherous).

Completing the field are 2021 O’Brien Award-winner Prohibition Legal (Big Jim), Queen Of Success (Captaintreacherous), Just Divine (Huntsville), Sea Silk (Downbytheseaside), Silver Label (Bettors Delight), and Galleria Hanover (Always B Miki).

Post positions will be drawn at a future date for the four events going directly to finals.

For more information go to the Hambletonian/Breeders Crown website or the Woodbine Mohawk Park website.

by Ken Weingartner, for Woodbine Entertainment