Max Contract flies to Breeders Crown triumph

Max Contract (Huntsville) rolled past elite harness racing rivals with a late-stretch burst to capture the $600,000 Breeders Crown Mares Open on Saturday (Oct. 28) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

The mare found herself in fourth as driver Andy Miller let three leaving mares by from the pylon post. Grace Hill (Doug McNair) reached the quarter on top in :25.4, and the field travelled single-file to the half in :54.4.

Max Contract pulled the trigger approaching the final turn and prompted a pocket pop from Kobe’s Gigi (Dexter Dunn). The latter moved up to attack the leader, and they went toe-to-toe to three-quarters in 1:23.3. Kobe’s Gigi overpowered Grace Hill in mid-stretch, but she began to flail as three horses closed in. Max Contract proved the fastest among them, soaring by Kobe’s Gigi on the outside to win the Breeders Crown by a length in 1:50.2.

Valar Dohaeris (Tim Tetrick) weaved through horses late to get up for place. Kobe’s Gigi gamely held third.

MAX CONTRACT REPLAY

The victory was Max Contract’s fourth straight. The four-year-old won her elimination and is now eight-for-14 on the season. Julie Miller trains the mare for Andy Miller Stable of Millstone Township and Jean Goehlen of Franconia. It was the biggest victory of Max Contract’s career to date.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink