Felicityshagwell S wires field in Breeders Crown

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Harness racing trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt made some mighty fine trotting mares chase Felicityshagwell S in the $300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot at The Meadowlands on Saturday (Oct. 30), wiring her foes in 1:52.2.

Svanstedt’s first Crown win as a driver and a trainer came after a losing skein of 36. The Swedish horseman took Felicityshagwell S directly to the lead off the gate, and the field lined up directly behind her to a :27.3 first quarter with Weslynn Quest behind her, Refined third and Atlanta fourth.

Atlanta was poised to aim for a challenge, and took the overland route first-over as Felicityshagwell S crawled to a :57.2 half. Looking for her first Crown win, 1-2 favorite Atlanta pursued Svanstedt’s mare to three-quarters in 1:25.4, but Felicityshagwell S drew away through a :26.3 final quarter to win by 1-1/2 lengths. Atlanta held second, and When Dovescry took third over Ramona Hill amid the crop of closers who crowded in to contest the minors.

Felicityshagwell S, a 6-year-old Maharajah mare out of the Cantab Hall mare Diaz Boko, is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc. and was bred by Manken Ab and Verrazzano Ab of Sweden.

Svanstedt said, “She always leaves fast. I was waiting for some of the good ones to come, but no one was coming. So it was good for her. She had top form, and she won easily.”

FELICITYSHAGWELL S REPLAY

The mare raised her lifetime earnings to $524,050 with this win, her fourth in 16 this season and her 11th in 48 career starts. She paid $23.00 to win.

For full race results, click here.

by Frank Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown