John Berry’s take on the freshmen post-Breeders Crown

It all comes down to the Breeders Crown.

That’s been the general thinking since that grand harness racing program was introduced 40 years ago and, with but a few major stakes events remaining, e.g., the $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Open Trot for aged performers, it’s decision time for the voting membership of the United States Harness Writers Association.

Their decisions, hopefully, will be taken seriously, as it means “make or break” for our sport’s top awards which, of course, could have some serious financial implications down the road.

Here’s how this USHWA member sees things after the Breeders Crown events…

Two-Year-Old Pacing Colts/Geldings (TOP 3)

LOUPRINT (Sweet Lou) 10-7-2-1 ($737,939) began his career humbly enough by winning a maiden—actually a NW1ExtPM event—in mid-July coming from well off the pace to win in 1:53.4. After a win in a PASS event, the colt finished a fast-closing second to Sippinponsearoc, pacing his final quarter in :25.1. After another win in PASS competition, he went to the Red Mile where he swept his three races there—the third one establishing his mark of 1:48.4, showing versatility along the way with gate speed in one event and ability to gobble air first up in the other two. Continuing at The Red Mile, Louprint made a quarter move took charge after a :54.1 half and was nailed on the wire in 1:48.4.

That brought him to the Breeders Crown Elim where he was a game third to Captain Optimistic. With the Breeders Crown draw doing no favors—post nine—driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. had him on the muscle early and to the front before yielding a stride or two past the opener. Tilting out turning for home, Louprint fought tenaciously all the way home to gain the nod in a photo. That said, he also earned this nod for two-year-old pacing colt of the year…in a similar photo!

FALLOUT (Captaintreacherous) 11-4-3-2  ($671,750) had a couple of qualifiers before making his seasonal debut at The Meadowlands on a sloppy racing oval in 1:52.1—:27. In a NW2 event for the juveniles, he led every stride of the mile—except the last—with his :26.2 finale a nose back of Captain Optimistic. Earning checks but without a win at Lexington, Fallout shipped north of the border and gained notoriety with a handy 1:49.3 win in the Metro at Woodbine.

Back down to Lexington, he cruised in a lifetime best 1:48.4 in the International Stallion Stake before a third to Swingtown in the Breeders Crown Elim. In the final, Fallout took charge after the opening panel and cut mustard the rest of the way before finding out a :26.3 final quarter would be a neck short on the wire—third!

SIPPINONASEAROC (Downbytheseaside)  11-6-2-1  ($568,000) was the “talk of the town” beginning his career with four straight win—the “eye-opener” a 1:48.2 win in KYSS action at The Red Mile. Competitive but unable to get to the winner’s circle at The Red Mile the next three starts, he shipped to Ohio, winning sire stake events at Dayton and Northfield—that last one in the $300,000 final in 1:51.2. A sharp closing kick in the BC elim—:26.2—to get a fourth and a spot in the final, the colt was outside every step of the journey and closed in :25.3 to miss the whole shebang by a scant head.

Swingtown and Captain Optimistic both had great seasons but not quite in the top tier.

SELECTION: LOUPRINT

Two-Year-Old Pacing Fillies (TOP 3)

MIKI AND MINNIE (Always B Miki)  10-5-4-1  ($671,750). When they say “it all comes down to the Breeders Crown,” no truer words apply to this division and Miki And Minnie just may be the beneficiary of those words. She finished second in each of her first four starts before winning her next four, including the $400,000 KYSS Finals at The Red Mile. Her mark of 1:49.4 was also in Lexington before shipping up north to The Meadowlands in preparation for the Breeders Crown. After a very tough journey in her elimination—hung out at three-quarters in 1:21.1, she managed to finish third in a raced timed in her best—1:49.1. Making a backside move first over, she went grinding forward to the lead and won by 1 3/4 in 1:50.2, her last panel in :26.1 over The Last Martini.

THE LAST MARTINI (Huntsville) 10-4-4-1  ($511,347).  This consistent filly had a tepid beginning in her first couple of starts but, from August 1 on, she never was worse than second while scoring sire stake wins in New York, went up north to get a pair of seconds at Woodbine in the She’s a Great Lady Stake and then won her Breeders Crown Elimination in 1:51—her mark. In the Breeders Crown, she was prominent the entire way and chased Miki And Minnie home in :26.3 to be second.

CHANTILLY (Big Jim) 9-9-0-0 ($761,000). The folks in the US never got a chance to see her in action but she was unbeatable—literally, unbeatable—with her unblemished record of nine straight wins. There was nary another filly that was within a length of her at the finish of her miles and she showed versatility from off-the pace or on the front end…even a double bubble binge when asked.

Others deserving attention included ROSE, LOOKSGOODINLOULOU and PAPI GRAD.

ROSE put together a notable six race win streak for a couple of months before cutting the mustard and getting caught in the Crown elimination and then a very decent “even-steven” mile in the Crown, itself.

Looksgoodinloulou put together a pair of sub-1:49 miles—her best 1:48.3—and won her Breeders Crown Elimination in 1:48.4 to stay in the hunt but got out-kicked in the late stages of the big event…and that’s when it counted!

The consistent Papi Grad had a 6-4-0 scorecard in 10 starts while beginning her career with five straight wins but only achieved one more after that and a very tough outing at Lexington where she was second to Looksgoodinloulou was her final start of this season.

SELECTION: MIKI AND MINNIE

Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt/Geldings

MARYLAND (Chapter Seven) 8-5-1-1 ($1,145,378). There wasn’t much to talk about during the first couple of months in the game. But, MARYLAND was ALL the talk of the town the last couple of months. The colt won over $1,000,000—in his last four starts!!! With the Wellwood, Peter Haughton and Mohawk Million under his girth, MARYLAND sewed things up with his best winning performance of the year when it all came down to the Breeders Crown—1:51.4. NO doubt now!

Should be a WALKOVER!

Super Chapter, Meshuggah, and Go Dog Go will try again next season…

Two-Year-Old Trotting Fillies

Photo Finish here with Lady Landia, Monalishi and Champagne Problems vying for the title.

LADY LANDIA (Tactical Landing) 8-4-1-0 ($426,300). She really wasn’t in the picture until a couple of weeks ago. With a Sire Stakes win in New Jersey, a NJ Classic win in an elimination and around $44,000 on her card, she pulled off two upsets—the first in the Breeders Crown Elimination—at 6 to 1—when she had speed off the wings and then popped home in :27.3 to win in 1:55.2 and, a week later, proved that first win no fluke when she won in a lifetime best 1:53.3—at 12 to 1. Were those last seven days enough? Close call! with the question…Does it all come down to the Breeders Crown?

CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS (Tactical Landing) 9-5-2-0 ($368,704). Prominent right up to post time for the Breeders Crown. Wins at The Meadowlands in the NJSS $240,000 Final in 1:52.3, the Doherty at Hoosier, the Stallion Stake at The Red Mile…then a very rough journey when it counted in the Crown.

MONALISHI (Green Manalishi S) 10-6-2-0. ($413,280). Spent the season in Canada where she won the $288,600 Peaceful Way, the Champlain, and Ontario Sire Stakes and had a mark of 1:52.2. Has won on the engine and off-the-pace so very adaptable…but never left Canada.

SELECTION — LADY LANDIA

WE’LL TACKLE THE SOPHOMORES IN THE NEXT MANE ATTRACTION

by John Berry, for Harnesslink