TORONTO — Freaky Feet Pete, a $62,500 supplemental entry rallied from well back as the harness racing favorite to capture the $531,250 U.S. ($689,244 Cdn) Breeders Crown three-year-old male pacing event at Woodbine on Saturday night.
The Indiana-bred son of Rockin Image looked to be far out of contention on the final turn, but driver Trace Tetrick gave him his marching orders in the stretch and the colt sprinted to a 1:50 victory at the expense of Artspeak and Lost For Words.
Early speed was expected from the favorites in this event, but that was not the case as Lost For Words and Reverend Hanover from the outer tier of the starting gate engaged in an early battle as the favorites held their composure. Reverend Hanover had the lead in the :26 opening quarter, but Lost For Words and David Miller regained moving down the backstretch and controlled the issue through a :55 opening half.
Approaching the half In The Arsenal and Brian Sears moved for the second time and they were followed in order by Wakizashi Hanover, Freaky Feet Pete and Artspeak.
"I thought I was in a good spot following Tim and having Artspeak on my back," said driver Trace Tetrick.
But the cover was not moving all that quickly on the turn as Miller and Lost For Words tried to put some separation on the field with a blistering :27.1 third quarter in the middle of a steady downpour.
In the stretch, Lost For Words opened up a few lengths, but Freaky Feet Pete had already been sent wide and he was closing with wild abandon. Trained by Larry Rheinheimer for owners Mary Jo Rheinheimer and Marty Rheinheimer, Freaky Feet Pete kicked home the winner, with Artspeak coming solidly late for second and Lost For Words finishing third.
It was the first Breeders Crown win for Trace Tetrick.
"It's very exciting," he said. "I'll remember this forever."
Freaky Feet Pete won for the 13th time in 15 starts this year, making good on a rather large bet put down by his owners.
Tetrick was looking forward to another year for Freaky Feet Pete.
"I think they are going to stake him a little better next year," said Tetrick referring to the four-year-old season of Freaky Feet Pete.
Wakizashi Hanover finished fourth and Dealt A Winner completed the final check getters.
Quotes;
Larry Rheinheimer
As you watched the stretch, did you think he was going to get there?
"I didn't know if he would or not. I knew there was lots of speed up front, which is what I was hoping for because I know he can get home pretty good."
But it wasn't a night for coming from behind…
"(laughs) No, not at all. He was a long way back. I was thinking about the other races earlier and he was far back. I thought maybe he'd get second or third at that point."
Tell me about this fantastic year that has led you to the Breeders Crown winner's circle…
"It's been amazing. Every race he goes, it's just been a different thing. He just amazes me every time he goes. He just wants to win."
This is the story everyone has been excited about… classic harness racing story where there are a lot of powerful stables/trainers, but there's always a chance a horse of the lifetime can come around. Is that how you feel about it too?
"Exactly. I feel that way, too. I'm sharing it with my wife and my boy. It's just a super night. Everywhere you look there someone to watch or a horse you want to watch. It's just a really, really big night. It's wonderful."
"He's out of a mare that had eight colts and they all made the racetrack. He's a good horse."
Were you worried about the weather conditions?
"No, not really. He's raced in it before and I knew it wouldn't bother him."
Tim Tetrick (on brother Trace's first Crown victory)
"It's great. If anyone was going to win, I'm glad it was him. It's cool"
By Jay Bergman