D’One delivers in Breeders Crown mare trot

TORONTO, ON – D'One was definitely the one. The marvelous harness racing five-year-old mare, driven by David Miller, came into the 2015 Breeders Crown Open Mare Trot at Woodbine as the prohibitive favorite.

And the daughter of Donato Hanover lived up to that billing with authority.

Taking the lead just after the opening quarter mile and inheriting the lead from pacesetter Shake It Cerry, D'One was never threatened thereafter, winning the $324,350 race ($250,000 U.S.) by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2.

The Swedish import has been absolutely solid since trainer Roger Walmann brought D'One to North America with highly-rated stablemate Magic Tonight, winner of the 2015 Elitlopp.

While Magic Tonight hasn't fared well in North America, D'One has been virtually unbeatable. Aside from a disappointing race in the Maple Leaf Trot in which she broke stride early and finished seventh by 22 lengths as the 7-5 favorite, she has been nothing but money.

Miller has driven her the last two times, both wins. Starting from the seven hole in the Breeders Crown field of 10, D'One was allowed to settle in comfortably, sitting in fourth after the opening quarter set in :27.1 by champion Shake It Cerry. Miller had the lead after a half mile in :57.2. It was really over at that point. She made it to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3, then basically glided the final quarter mile under mild urging to win.

D'One, owned by a multi-partner Swedish group that race under the nom de plume Stall Kenny 23, has won six of nine races this year. She recently surpassed $1 million in career earnings. She raised her bankroll to more than $1.2 million with the Crown win.

"If I had my choice I would have essentially come up the backstretch and moved her then, but there was horses out there so I had to move her when I did and she held up very well," said Miller, who celebrated his 15th Breeders Crown victory.

Walmann said D'One has done so well this year because of her immense heart and desire to win.

"If she can be like this next year, we'll be happy with that," Walmann said.

D'One , sent postward at just under 1-2, paid $2.90, $2.50, $2.10.

Shake It Cerry paid $4.10 and $3.00. Charmed Life, who placed third by 4½ lengths, $5.70 to show.

The exacta paid $10.70, the trifecta $112.25.

QUOTES;

D One

Dave Miller driver –

How important, when you have a line up like tonight, to win when you are supposed to?

Yeah, that’s a big help.  You get started and everything is good, your confidence is up and everything is good.

That’s important.

How is the track?

The track is good, if we don’t get any more rain or if it stays the way it is.

Performed up to expections.  Did the trip go like you expected?

Yeah pretty well. There were horses out there, so I had to move her when I did, and she held on pretty well.

Trainer Dave Menary – Charmed Life (3rd)

I was just hoping she would get room, you know. Not locked, blocked and shuffled to the back of the bus. She was a little crowded early and there were a couple of breakers, and I thought we were going to be okay. There was another breaker and we were able to get a little bit of clear racetrack. The race came home in :27.4 and she was trotting all that she could trot. I would have liked having a shot at it, but we might have only had third racing against those two mares and I’m very proud of my mare tonight.

I would have liked to have a clear shot and a little more fun, but 23-1 to finish by nose to those world class mares I’m really happy. She didn’t have the year I quite expected but I think even though it doesn’t show on the paper.

By Perry Lefko