The first entry box for the Meadowlands Racetrack’s fall championship meet was packed with 156 trotters and pacers creating eliminations on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15 in all but five divisions.
The $5.4-million Breeders Crown finals will be conducted on Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22 and will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Meadowlands’ new grandstand under the management of Jeff Gural. First-race post time for both final nights will be 7:15 p.m.
Sophomore trotters of both genders will advance directly to the $500,000 finals – fillies on Friday and colts on Saturday. The $400,000 Crown Pace, $281,250 Mare Pace and $250,000 Mare Trot will go straight to the finals on November 21 and 22.
A compact field of seven open pacers is set for Saturday, November 22. Eleven mare pacers will also go straight to the final on Friday, November 21 and include three past Breeders Crown champions. Reigning Horse of the Year and Breeders Crown champion Bee A Magician headlines the $250,000 Mare Trot, with eight entered.
Four horses will receive byes into the Open Trot: Commander Crowe, Creatine, Intimidate and Market Share. That leaves six horses to qualify for the final. Entries include Arch Madness, Archangel, Flanagan Memory, Master Of Law, Maven, Quick Deal, Sevruga, Wheeling N Dealin, Wishing Stone and Your So Vain for the single elimination.
FRIDAY ELIMINATIONS
2-Year-Old Filly Trot (top five from each $25,000 elimination advance to $500,000 final on Nov. 21)
Division One (Race 2):
1. Hot Start, Brian Sears, Jonas Czernyson
2. Scented Roses, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt
3. Mission Brief, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
4. Gold Cora, Tim Tetrick, Rich Gillock
5. Smexi, Corey Callahan, Jimmy Takter
6. Lilu Hanover, Scott Zeron, Jimmy Takter
7. Danielle Hall, Jody Jamieson, Carl Jamieson
Division Two (Race 12):
1. Wild Honey, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter
2. Bright Baby Blues, David Miller, Joe Holloway
3. Sarcy, Brett Miller, Jimmy Takter
4. Wiclet Hanover, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt
5. Livininthefastlane, Tim Tetrick, Julie Miller
6. Love Me Madly, John Campbell, Ross Croghan
7. Stubborn Belle, Paul MacDonell, John Bax
2-Year-Old Filly Pace (top five from each $25,000 elimination advance to $500,000 final on Nov. 22)
Division One (Race 3):
1. Heavenly Bride, Brian Sears, Casie Coleman
2. Wicked Little Minx, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt
3. The Show Returns, Scott Zeron, Chris Ryder
4. Bettor N Better, Ron Pierce, Ron Burke
5. JK Shesalady, Tim Tetrick, Nancy Johansson
6. Bettor Be Steppin, Corey Callahan, Joe Holloway
7. Sassa Hanover, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
Division Two (Race 6):
1. Well Hello There, Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke
2. Divine Caroline, Corey Callahan, Joe Holloway
3. Southwind Roulette, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
4. Ideal Nuggets, David Miller, Ed Lohmeyer
5. Heart Major, Ron Pierce, Joe Pavia Jr.
6. Sports Chic, Jody Jamieson, Blake MacIntosh
7. Happy Becky, David Miller, Casie Coleman
8. Happiness, Mike Simons, John Butenschoen
3-Year-Old Filly Pace (top five from each $25,000 elimination advance to $593,750 final on Nov. 21)
Division One (Race 4)
1. Act Now, George Brennan, Nikolas Drennan
2. Sayitall BB, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
3. Major Dancer, Brian Sears, Casie Coleman
4. Beach Gal, Jody Jamieson, Dave Menary
5. Table Talk, Andy Miller, Bart Dalious
6. Nat A Virgin, Jody Jamieson, Dustin Jones
7. Gettingreadytoroll, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter
8. Gallie Bythe Beach, Tim Tetrick, Jim Campbell
Division Two (Race 7):
1. Beach Story, David Miller, Kelvin Harrison
2. Colors A Virgin, Trace Tetrick, Brian Brown
3. Uffizi Hanover, Brett Miller, Jimmy Takter
4. Allstar Rating, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
5. Precocious Beauty, Doug McNair, Gregg McNair
6. Sandbetweenurtoes, Brett Miller, Larry Remmen
7. Weeper, Ron Pierce, Kelly O’Donnell
SATURDAY ELIMINATIONS
2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot (top five from each $25,000 elimination advance to $500,000 final on Nov. 22)
Division One (Race 2):
1. On The Sly, Brett Miller, Morgan McInnis
2. Walter White, Brian Sears, Jimmy Takter
3. The Bank, Jimmy Takter, Jimmy Takter
4. Guess Whos Back, Brian Sears, Nikolas Drennan
5. Pinkman, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter
6. Habitat, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
7. Infiniti AS, Charlie Norris, Anette Lorentzon
8. Centurion ATM, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt
9. Sixteen Encores, Tim Tetrick, Rich Gillock
Division Two (Race 4):
1. Stonebridge Force, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt
2. True Blue Stride, John Campbell, Mark Harder
3. Suit And Tie, Mike Simons, John Butenschoen
4. Muscle Diamond, John Campbell, Brett Bittle
5. Whataworkout, Scott Zeron, Frank Antonacci
6. Piercewave Hanover, Corey Callahan, Ron Burke
7. French Laundry, Brett Miller, Jimmy Takter
8. Uncle Lasse, Ron Pierce, Jimmy Takter
9. Cruzado Dela Noche, David Miller, Nancy Johansson
2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace (top five from each $25,000 elimination advance to $500,000 final on Nov. 22)
Division One (Race 8)
1. Go Daddy Go, John Campbell, Bob McIntosh
2. Lost For Words, David Miller, Brian Brown
3. Franzo, Scott Zeron, Jimmy Takter
4. Sicily, Corey Callahan, Nikolas Drennan
5. Rich Wisdom, Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke
6. Soto, Brett Miller, Jimmy Takter
7. Lyons Again, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
8. Kona Kid, Tim Tetrick, Scott McEneny
9. Migrate Blue Chip, Rick Zeron, Luc Blais
Division Two (Race 11):
1. Traceur Hanover, Tim Tetrick, Corey Johnson
2. Arque Hanover, Tim Tetrick, Jeff Gillis
3. Lyons Levi Lewis, Ron Pierce, Ron Burke
4. Bet You, Brett Miller; Jimmy Takter
5. Hall Of Terror, Marcus Miller, Erv Miller
6. Cooperstown, Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke
7. Tomy Terror, Corey Callahan, John Butenschoen
8. Raylan Givens, Andrew McCarthy, Tom Cancelliere
9. Cartoon Daddy, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
10. In The Arsenal, Brian Sears, Kelvin Harrison
3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace (top five from each $25,000 elimination advance to $531,250 final on Nov. 22)
Division One (Race 5):
1. JK Endofanera, Ron Pierce, Ron Burke
2. Parnu Hanover, Andrew McCarthy, Tom Cancelliere
3. Somewhere In L A, Brett Miller, Jimmy Takter
4. Always B Miki, David Miller, Joe Holloway
5. Luck Be Withyou, Tim Tetrick, Chris Oakes
6. Hes Watching, Tim Tetrick, Dave Menary
7. Somesizesomestyle, Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke
8. Lets Drink On It, Tyler Smith, Joe Seekman
Division Two (Race 7):
1. Doo Wop Hanover, Ron Pierce, Steve Elliott
2. Caviart Luca, Brian Sears, Noel Daley
3. McWicked, Brian Sears, Casie Coleman
4. Lyonssomewhere, TBA, Jimmy Takter
5. Capital Account, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter
6. Jet Airway, Marcus Miller, Erv Miller
7. Somestarsomewhere, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
8. Limelight Beach, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
Open Trot (Top six finishers from single $25,000 elimination advance to $500,000 final on Nov. 22)
Elimination (Race 10):
1. Wheeling N Dealin, Rick Zeron, Luc Blais
2. Your So Vain, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt
3. Flanagan Memory, Brett Miller, Rene Dion
4. Master Of Law, Jimmy Takter, Jimmy Takter
5. Quick Deal, Andy Miller, Julie Miller
6. Sevruga, Andy Miller, Julie Miller
7. Wishing Stone, Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke
8. Arch Madness, George Brennan, Trond Smedshammer
9. Archangel, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
10. Maven, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter.
Byes: Commander Crowe, Creatine, Intimidate, and Market Share.
$281,250 MARE PACE (Final: Nov. 21)
The 11-horse field for the Mare Pace in post order:
1. Camille
2. Charisma Hanover
3. Voelz Hanover
4. Somwherovrarainbow
5. Yagonnakissmeornot
6. Shelliscape
7. Krispy Apple
8. Anndrovette
9. Rocklamation
10. Regil Elektra
11. Venus Delight.
Anndrovette, the three-time defending Dan Patch Award winner for best older mare pacer, is a two-time Breeders Crown champion, with victories in 2011 and 2012. The seven-year-old daughter of Riverboat King-Easy Miss has won six of 20 starts this year and earned $490,352 for owners Bamond Racing and Joe Davino.
Bamond Racing, which is Jeff Bamond and Jeff Bamond, Jr., also won last year’s Breeders Crown, with Shelliscape. A daughter of Artiscape-Shell I Scoot, the five-year-old Shelliscape has won three of 23 races this season. Bamond Racing also supplemented recent purchase Venus Delight to the Mare Pace. The four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Venus Killean, is coming off a Nov. 7 win in the open handicap for fillies and mares at Yonkers.
Yagonnakissmeornot, a daughter of The Panderosa-Artstopper and half-sister to Breeders Crown three-year-old colt pace contender Always B Miki, has made $476,218 this year for owners Allard Racing, Yves Sarrazin and Kapildeo Singh, meriting a $31,250 supplemental entry to the Mare Pace.
Somwherovrarainbow, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Rainbow Blue trained by Joe Holloway for owners Ted Gewertz and Diamond Creek Racing, won a Breeders Crown title in 2012 at age two.
$500,000 THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROT (Final: Nov. 21)
The nine-horse field for the Three-Year-Old Filly Trot in post order:
1. Market Rally
2. Lifetime Pursuit
3. Shake It Cerry
4. Struck By Lindy
5. Cantabs Fortune
6. Heavens Door
7. Vanity Matters
8. Riveting Rosie
9. Cee Bee Yes
Shake It Cerry won last year’s Breeders Crown for two-year-old filly trotters and will try to become the first filly trotter since Cameron Hall to win at ages two and three. Cameron Hall accomplished the feat in 2001 and 2002. Shake It Cerry, who has won 22 of 27 career races and $1.8 million, was the 2013 Dan Patch Award winner for best two-year-old filly trotter.
A daughter of Donato Hanover-Solveig owned by Solveig’s Racing Partners, Shake It Cerry has won 14 of 16 races this year and $980,411 for trainer Jimmy Takter. She has won eight consecutive starts since finishing fourth in the Hambletonian Oaks.
Lifetime Pursuit, also trained by Takter, won the Hambletonian Oaks as part of a six-race win streak during the summer. She has finished second in her past four starts, three times to Shake It Cerry and once to Cee Bee Yes. A daughter of Cantab Hall-Queen Of Grace, she has won eight of 17 races this year and $795,216 for owner Brittany Farms.
Takter is the leading trainer in Breeders Crown history, with 18 trophies and $8.3 million in purses. Brittany Farms is the leading owner, with 16 victories and $7.1 million in earnings.
$250,000 MARE TROT (Final: Nov. 21)
The eight-horse field for the Mare Trot in post order:
1. Intense America
2. Classic Martine
3. Bee A Magician
4. Handover Belle
5. Ma Chere Hall
6. Charmed Life
7. Dorsay
8. Mistery Woman
Bee A Magician, who was the 2013 Horse of the Year in both the U.S. and Canada, is a past champ. She claimed the Crown for three-year-old fillies last season on her way to a perfect 17-for-17 campaign.
A daughter of Kadabra-Beehive, Bee A Magician is owned by Mel Hartman, Herb Liverman and David McDuffee. She has won three of 14 races this year and earned $293,914.
Classic Martine, a daughter of Classic Photo-Drinking Days, has won nine of 16 starts this year and earned $368,912 for owners Hauser Bros. Racing, Susan Oakes, Conrad Zurich and Ed Gold. The mare, who earlier this year won the Armbro Flight Stakes and Miss Versatility Series championship, is trained by Chris Oakes.
Mistery Woman won the Allerage Farms Mare Trot on Oct. 5 at The Red Mile in a world-record 1:51, edging Bee A Magician by a neck. The four-year-old mare, a daughter of Donato Hanover-My Dollys Dream trained by co-owner Jonas Czernyson, lowered the previous world record of 1:51.1 shared by Bee A Magician and Classic Martine. Michael Taranto’s Aldebaran Park Inc. also shares ownership of Mistery Woman.
$400,000 OPEN PACE (Final: Nov. 22)
The seven-horse field for the Open Pace in post order:
1. Bettors Edge
2. Modern Legend
3. State Treasurer
4. Thinking Out Loud
5. Foiled Again
6. Clear Vision
7. Sweet Lou.
Foiled Again won last year’s event, becoming at the age of nine the oldest Breeders Crown winner in history. The son of Dragon Again-In A Safe Place will try to join Bettor Sweet (2011-12), Won The West (2009-10) and Boulder Creek (2004-05) as recent horses to win this event in consecutive years.
Already the richest horse in North American harness racing history, Foiled Again has earned $718,563 this year for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables. The gelding has banked $6.7 million during his career and received the past three Dan Patch Award honors for best older male pacer.
Sweet Lou, also from the stable of trainer Ron Burke, won a Breeders Crown title in 2011 at the age of two. The now five-year-old son of Yankee Cruiser-Sweet Future has won 10 of 17 starts this year and $1 million for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Phil Collura.
Earlier this year, Sweet Lou set a record with six consecutive victories in faster than 1:48.
$500,000 THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT & GELDING TROT (Final: Nov. 22)
The 10-horse field for the Three-Year-Old Colt Trot in alphabetical order is:
Datsyuk
Don Dorado
E L Titan
Father Patrick
Harper Blue Chip
Hillustrious
Il Sogno Dream
Nuncio
Odds On Amethyst
Sumatra
Father Patrick, a son of Cantab Hall-Gala Dream, won the 2013 Breeders Crown for two-year-old male trotters on his way to the Dan Patch Award as the division’s best. The last colt trotter to win at ages two and three was Muscle Hill in 2008 and 2009.
Owned by the Father Patrick Stable and trained by Jimmy Takter, Father Patrick has won 11 of 16 races this year and $1.4 million. His wins include the Canadian Trotting Classic, Beal Memorial, Zweig Memorial, and Stanley Dancer Memorial.
Nuncio, also trained by Takter, has won 11 of 16 races this year and $1.39 million. He brings a five-race win streak to the Breeders Crown, with two legs of the Trotting Triple Crown – the Kentucky Futurity and Yonkers Trot – among his victories during that span. A son of Andover Hall-Nicole Isabelle owned by Stefan Melander’s Stall TZ Inc., the colt finished second in the Hambletonian.
The Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace, Three-Year-Old Colt Trot and Open Trot will be drawn at the press conference at Victory Sports Bar at the Meadowlands on Tuesday, November 18 at 2 p.m.
(‘S’ stands for ‘supplement’)
(Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown)