Veteran horseman John Bax is no stranger to success, but his seasonal totals can reach unprecedented heights this weekend if stable star Righteous Resolve is able to fend off a 'special' filly and eight other rivals on the first night of the 2022 Breeders Crown weekend at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Bax, who plies his trade just five minutes east of Mohawk in Campbellville, Ont., sports a summary of 34-38-30 from 212 starts with an enviable average of 0.307 and an equally-enviable $1,849,014 stable bankroll. He's just $9,000 shy of his previous personal best in purses set 20 years ago, and he's poised to set a new stable standard working arm-in-arm with his family. That accomplishment with loved ones part of the process clearly means more than words can convey.
"It makes it worthwhile getting up in the morning and makes it just that much more special," Bax told Trot Insider at the 2022 Breeders Crown Dinner and Post Draw while acknowledging the contributions of son, Matt. "And I also have to give kudos to my daughter [Robyn], she's an osteopath and she works on the horses...and after nine years of schooling I'm happy for her to help out.
"It's a family affair and it makes [the success of the stable] very special."
Leaving from post seven on Friday (Oct. 28) in the eighth race — the $810,000 Breeders Crown Final for two-year-old trotting fillies — Righteous Resolve is listed as the 5-2 second choice behind 2-1 favourite Special Way (PP4, Ake Svanstedt). In nine career starts, Righteous Resolve sports eight wins and one second place finish with more than $536,000 in earnings. She's yet to lose a race over this surface for trainer Bax, driver Paul MacDonell and breeder/owners Bet Max Stables Inc. and Benenati Inc. of Michigan. While he's clearly thrilled for the success of his stable this season, Bax is equally thrilled by the success he's been able to provide for the filly's connections.
“I’m really happy for the owners,” Bax told Ontario Sires Stakes publicity. “They put a lot of money into the business and have paid their dues. It’s nice to see their enthusiasm, and they’re still in love with the game. So hopefully we can do some good for them.
“Are we as good as (Special Way)? I guess we will find out on Friday,” continued Bax. "It’s exciting to be there and be competitive. Not only is it hard to win a Breeders Crown, it’s hard to get to a Breeders Crown. We don’t take it for granted and we are going to enjoy the moment and hopefully we have some luck.”
Righteous Resolve is not only poised to provide Bax with a stable record of purses, she's poised to provide another O'Brien Award to the accomplished trainer's mantle. A win for Righteous Resolve at the 2022 O'Brien Awards would provide Bax his third win in the two-year-old trotting filly category in the last decade, and dam Motown Muscle with her second O'Brien Award winner from four foals of racing age. Both of those champions have been sired by Resolve, but Bax noted that the full siblings' paths to success had very little in common.
To watch the full interview with Bax from the 2022 Breeders Crown Post Draw, click the play button below.
All four Breeders Crown finals for two-year-olds will be contested Friday at Mohawk. Racing begins at 7 p.m. (EDT) with the Crown fields going behind the gate in races six through nine. The finals for horses three and up are Saturday, also starting at 7 p.m.
To view the complete entries for this weekend's Breeders Crown finals, click one of the following links:
- Friday, Oct. 28 — Entries / Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT)
- Saturday, Oct. 29 — Entries / Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT)