Confederate is spectacular in Breeders Crown romp

Confederate (Sweet Lou) unleashed a furious late kick to dominate his rivals scoring a spectacular win in the $600,000 Breeders Crown final for sophomore pacing colts and geldings raced over a sloppy track in harness racing action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday night (October 28th).

Tim Tetrick guided the prohibitive Horse of the Year favorite to a five-length win over Stockade Seelster in a stellar 1:48.0 clocking considering the race was contested in a driving rainstorm.

Trainer Brett Pelling heaped praise on his colt following his victory.

“He does it all on his own,” he beamed. “He is absolutely superb. We had a couple blemishes with him but he’s just unbelievable. He’s so fast. He’s so willing.”

Owner Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farm was obviously elated with Confederate. “It’s wonderful. He’s a homebred and it’s a family we started way back when I first started,” he said. “The culmination of this…he’s the best horse we’ve ever had. I would put him up against any 3-year-old ever. We kind of hoped he was this kind of horse all along. Brian (Brown) did a great job with him last year and Brett just polished it off this year. He is the most amazing horse.”

The trip wasn’t an easy one as Confederate was outsprinted early as three rivals blasted off from the outside intent on getting positioned near the front. Huntinthelastdolar (Doug McNair) was first to the front, but he was soon overtaken by Command (Todd McCarthy). Then It’s My Show (Scott Zeron) circled up to take the front. All this action contributed to a :25.3 opening quarter. At that stage, Confederate was content to sit fifth on the inside.

Stockade Seelster then took a turn on the lead, and he sped past the half in :53.4. Confederate then pulled first up and started his charge with Cannibal (Yannick Gingras) picking up his cover. Stockade Seelster reached the three quarters in 1:22.1 with Confederate breathing down his neck.

As they straightened out and paced down the long Hoosier Park lane, Confederate found another gear that his rivals couldn’t match, and he paced away to the open length victory. Stockade Seelster held second over Cannibal with El Rey (Dexter Dunn) finishing fourth.

CONFEDERATE REPLAY

Confederate took his 12th win in 13 starts this year, and the Brett Pelling trainee boosted his earnings to $1.988 million.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink