WILKES-BARRE, PA – Captain Trevor, with Andrew MacCarthy at the reins for trainer Tony Alagna, won the third of three Breeders Crown eliminations for two-year-old colt pacers at Pocono Downs on Oct. 19. The time for the mile was 1:52.3.
Captain Trevor left with two others off the gate and settled behind Sugar Factory as that one captured the top. From the outside, race-favorite Workin Ona Mystery roared first over to challenge the leader with a half of :57.
Sugar Factory struggled but kept the lead until Captain Trevor came out of the pocket to replace Workin Ona Mystery as that one tired and faded by three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Captain Trevor was all out in the stretch, passing the rest and keeping ahead of a fast-closing Blood Money, who paced enough to get second ahead of Lyons Johnny JNR, who passed Sugar Factory to get third.
Stag Party scratched from the race.
Captaintreacherous is the sire of Captain Trevor, who is owned by Brittany Farms LLC, Marvin Katz, J. Grant and Captain Trevor Racing and was bred by Bay’s Stable and Riverview Breeding.
Trainer Tony Alagna said the colt is “tactical, a handy horse, really laid back and easy to drive,” calling Captain Trevor’s last few efforts “phenomenal.”
The winner paid $9.80 to win.
Before the Breeders Crown eliminations at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono started Friday night, Ontario driver Bob McClure had never participated in the prestigious championship series.
Now he’s won two Crown races – Champagne Jane in the filly trot and then the Muscle Hill – Smarty Pants colt Smart As Hill in the colt trot. Both horses rallied from far back, and both horses were lightly-regarded, with Smart As Hill returning $36.80.
McClure kept the winner of $105,491 along the inside behind fractions of 27.1, 56.1, and 1:24.2 set by Green Manilishi S, then swung wide at headstretch and generated tremendous speed in the last sixteenth, getting past the pacesetter in the last 100 feet to take a new mark of 1:53.4. Green Manilishi S, Super Schissel, and Trix And Stones were next in line behind the three-time winner, who is trained by Paula Wellwood of Marion Marauder fame and owned by Dreamville Stable and Steve Organ.
Proof, driven by David Miller, was a 1:52.1 winner of the second of three Breeders Crown eliminations for two-year-old colt pacers at Pocono Downs on Oct. 19.
The A Rocknroll Dance homebred let the field fly early as race-favorite Captain Crunch left with three others and took the lead to a :26 first quarter. Moving early to get involved with the leader, Shake That House took to the outside, followed by Yacht Week and Semi Tough.
The half was reached in :55.4 as Shake That House took over the lead, aiming forcefully to three-quarters in 1:23.2. He was challenged in the speedy route by Semi Tough, who led the second tier and rolled side by side with Shake That House as the stretch approached.
Those two were burning out on top as Proof picked off pacers on the outside with ease and flew to the finish first. Captain Crunch was tough on the outside in the stretch and kept the second spot while passing tired ones to finish third was Love Me Some Lou. Those three go to the final.
Brian Brown trains Proof, owned by Diamond Creek Racing and bred by Diamond Creek Farm.
Proof paid $7.80 to win.
The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono’s leading trainer, Rene Allard, and his brother and Pocono’s second-leading driver, Simon, combined with the impressive Muscle Hill – Cedar Dove filly When Dovescry to post an impressive 1:54 victory in the third $20,000 elimination for the Breeders Crown two-year-old distaff trot, paying $9.40 for the win.
Simon had When Dovescry, named after a song by the late artist Prince, on top almost immediately and had a big lead by the fast 26.4 initial marker. The filly went on to the half in 56.3 and ¾ in 1:24.3, with favored The Ice Dutchess on the move to challenge down the back.
But When Dovescry was not to be caught on this evening, with The Ice Dutchess holding for second, 2 ¼ lengths back, and Cloud Nine Fashion photoing out Fate Smiled for third.
In talking about the $205,000 yearling purchase, who has now won four races in a row, Simon Allard said, “She is a great horse, and we knew she would be a great horse. We brought her along slowly, as we are looking to race her on at three and four – but obviously she was very good tonight.” The ownership combine of the Go Fast Stable, Yves Sarrazin, Kapildeo Singh, and Lawrence Dumain are undoubtedly focusing on the short-term outlook – next Saturday’s $600,000 Championship event.
Tall Drink Hanover, with Andrew McCarthy steering, worked to get to the top early and went all the way to win the second of two Breeders Crown eliminations for two-year-old filly pacers at Pocono Downs on Oct. 19.
The opening quarter hosted a shuffle between Money Shot Hanover, Zero Tolerance and Tall Drink Hanover before McCarthy gained the lead with the daughter of Captaintreacherous. The first quarter went in :26.4.
As Tall Drink Hanover led the field to a half in :56.2, race-favorite Warrawee Ubeat brushed strongly to challenge on the outside, looking at first as if she could take over the lead. However, Tall Drink Hanover was steady and stubborn and best as the two were dueling into three-quarters at 1:22.4.
Zero Tolerance stepped lively into the stretch but Warrawee Ubeat could not hustle to stay with Tall Drink Hanover and began to fade and stray a bit. Another threat surfaced when from the inside Zero Tolerance hooked up with the leader for a minor duel but Tall Drink Hanover won that, too, and finished in 1:51.3.
Beautyonthebeach got third, Warrawee Ubeat held on for fourth and Renaissance Lady K finished fifth to also make the final.
Tony Alagna trains Tall Drink Hanover who won her fourth-straight. Alagna Racing LLC, Marvin Katz and Riverview Racing LLC own Tall Drink Hanover, who was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.
Tall Drink Hanover paid $7.80 to win.
Yannick Gingras drove St Somewhere to a 1:52.2 win in the first of two Breeders Crown eliminations for two-year-old filly pacers at Pocono Downs on Oct. 19.
St Somewhere watched Queen Of The Pride and Annie Hill leave quickly but Queen Of The Pride took a few bad steps and could not get the lead. Annie Hill couldn’t hold on too long racing smoothly as St Somewhere brushed first over and took over the lead at a first quarter in :27.1.
Once on top, St Somewhere, the race favorite for trainer Ron Burke, cut the half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:24.2 as Queen Of The Pride led the second tier and tried to rally with Treacherous Reign looking to go three wide for a charge.
None of the action behind St Somewhere mattered much as the daughter of American Ideal floated past the finish line to win in 1:52.2. She paid $5.20 to win.
Annie Hill got the best inside trip and finished second, while Queen Of The Pride managed to finish third after making more bad steps that cost her ground. Also making the final was fourth-place finisher Prescient Beauty.
Burke Racing Stable, P. Colllura, J & T Silva and Pumel & Libby own St Somewhere, who was bred by Crawford Farms.
New York Sire Stakes harness racingchampion Gimpanzee ($4.00) remained undefeated in eight career starts, overcoming a four-week absence and the tough tuck-then-first-over trip to post a 1:54.4
victory in one of two $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for two-year-old trotting males Friday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
The son of Chapter Seven, who also sired the earlier filly winner Woodside Charm, out of the mare Steamy Windows left from post eight outside a host of horses and tucked fifth, with Union Forces emerging from the early scramble with the lead before the 27.3 quarter. He got a 57.3 breather to the half, but driver Brian Sears had Gimpanzee grinding forward down the backstretch, to the 1:26.4 3/4s, and around the turn to emerge with the lead headstretch.
Despite the arduous trip, Gimpanzee was able to draw away in the lane by 1 1/2 lengths, with Chin Chin Hall, Hudson River, and Prospect Hill next in line at the wire and advancing to the Championship.
Trainer Marcus Melander thought early in the season that this horse was of Grand Circuit caliber, and wasn’t especially concerned about either the layoff or the tough trip. Melander thinks the horse will acquit himself well next week, into which he will bring earnings of $291,358.
No Mas Amor, with Matt Kakaley in the bike, rolled swiftly on the inside through the stretch to win the first elimination of the Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Pace in 1:50.3.
No Mas Amor , a son of Sweet Lou, stayed in the back early as Air Force Hanover passed De Los Celos Deo when the gate launched the small field of five (American Mercury was a scratch) into action.
Air Force Hanover stayed afloat to a :26.4 quarter with De Los Celos Deo tracking him in second and race-favorite Lyons Night Hawk following in third. Air Force Hanover kept the pace going through a half in :55.3 and began to open up on the field.
Lyons Night Hawk came to the outside as three-quarters clocked in 1:22.4 with Mangogh picking up his cover. Still, Air Force Hanover rolled on easily into the stretch and seemed to be coasting to the win.
From the inside, though, No Mas Amor soared down the lane and picked off Air Force Hanover to win in 1:50.3.
Air Force Hanover held the place and Mangogh took the show spot, the first three qualifying for the final.
“The last two week his trips worked out perfectly,” said driver Matt Kakeley in the winner’s circle. “I took my chances staying on the inside and it worked out good.”
Linda Toscano trains No Mas Amor for owner Kenneth E. Jacobs. Sherri K. Meirs and David A. Meirs bred the colt who paid $21.80 to win.
Special Honor and Andy Miller went to the lead late on the first turn, passing the ¼ in 27.4 and then keeping Conway Kellyanne outside to and past the 56.2 half.
Favored Whispering Oaks circled wide to challenge near the 1:26.1 ¾ pole, with McClure slipping outside with Champagne Jane. Special Honor looked like she was on her way to victory in midstretch, but Champagne Jane was closing with high speed and picked up the leader handily in deep stretch, with Whispering Oaks holding on for third and advancement to the Championship.
McClure, who was making his Breeders Crown debut, said that the filly had had health issues in the summer, but that trainer Luc Blais had brought her back to top form, sharpness that was evident in the lane as she closed with determination for the ownership group named Determination, from Quebec. She paid $17.40 to win.
Woodside Charm further established her credentials as a superstar in the making when she won her $20,000 elimination of the Breeders Crown for two-year-old trotting fillies Friday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in a startling 1:53 – almost a second faster than any divisional Crown final has gone on a 5/8-mile track.
Owner/trainer/driver Verlin Yoder made the lead on the first turn, and when second choice Sonnet Grace made a break in the pocket late on that bend, the daughter of Chapter Seven – Fireworks Hanover controlled her own destiny.
Yoder guided his star filly to early fractions of 27.2 and 57.2, then asked his horse for more speed down the back, and she reached the 3/4s in 1:25. The winner trotted home in 28 as her lead increased to double digits, and she crossed the wirer 12 ½ lengths to the good, with 50-1 shots Stella Jane second and Miss You Kelly third to advance to the final.
Woodside Charm is now undefeated in six lifetime starts, with earnings of $219,158 – and another $300,000 looming in a week's time. She paid $2.40 to win.
Here is the draw for the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly Championship, to be held next Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono (* – elimination winner), followed by trainer and the driver in the elimination (a choice will have to be made):
1 – *When Doves Cry – Rene Allard – Simon Allard
2 – *Woodside Charm – trainer/driver Verlin Yoder
3 – *Champagne Jane – Luc Blais – Bob McClure
4 – Cloud Nine Fashion – Jim Campbell – Tim Tetrick
5 – Special Honor – Julie Miller – Andy Miller
6 – Whispering Oaks – Jimmy Takter – Yannick Gingras
7 – Miss You Kelly – Bruce Lauer – Tim Tetrick
8 – The Ice Dutchess – Jimmy Takter – Yannick Gingras
9 – Stella Jane – John Butenschoen – George Napolitano Jr.
Here is the draw for the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly Championship, to be held next Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono (* – elimination winner), followed by trainer and the driver in the elimination (a choice will have to be made):
1 – Beautyonthebeach – Gregg McNair – Doug McNair
2 — *St Somewhere – Ron Burke – Yannick Gingras
3 – *Tall Drink Hanover – Tony Alagna – Andrew McCarthy
4 – Warrawee Ubeaut – Ron Burke – Yannick Gingras
5 – Queen Of The Pride – Kevin Lare – Tony Hall
6 – Treacherous Reign – Tony Alagna – Scott Zeron
7 – Zero Tolerance – Joe Holloway – David Miller
8 – Prescient Beauty – Gregg McNair – Doug McNair
9 – Annie Hill – Chris Oakes – Brian Sears
Here is the draw for the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt Championship, to be held next Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono (* – elimination winner), followed by trainer and the driver in the elimination (a choice will have to be made):
1 – Hudson River – Jimmy Takter – Yannick Gingras
2 – Chin Chin Hall – Melanie Wrenn – Peter Wrenn
3 – Prospect Hill – Julie Miller – Andy Miller
4 – *Smart As Hill – Paula Wellwood – Bob McClure
5 – *Gimpanzee – Marcus Melander – Brian Sears
6 – Super Schissel – Jimmy Takter – Yannick Gingras
7 – Trix And Stones – Carl Jamieson – Scott Zeron
8 – Green Manilishi S – Marcus Melander – Tim Tetrick
9 – Kings County – Domenico Cecere – Brian Sears
Here is the draw for the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt Championship, to be held next Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono (* – elimination winner), followed by trainer and the driver in the elimination (a choice will have to be made):
1 – *Proof – Brian Brown – David Miller
2 — *No Mas Amor – Linda Toscano – Matt Kakaley
3 – Lyons Johnnyjnr – Jeff Gillis – Brian Sears
4 – Captain Crunch – Nancy Johansson – Scott Zeron
5 – *Captain Trevor – Tony Alagna – Andrew McCarthy
6 – Air Force Hanover – Brian Brown – David Miller
7 – Love Me Some Lou – Tom Cancelliere – Corey Callahan
8 – Mangogh—Bruce Saunders – Andrew McCarthy
9 – Blood Money – Jimmy Takter – Yannick Gingras
From the Breeders Crown (USA)