Trainer Luc Blais's first impression of the first foal of his former champion Emoticon Hanover was guarded.
Drawn Impression "didn't really like anybody except her groom," Blais recalled with a chuckle. "I was excited to break her, because of all her mom accomplished, but she was a bit wild. Not mean, but suspicious...and super smart."
The homebred Muscle Hill filly has still has character, but she's also found her stride on the racetrack.
Friday, the two-year-old trotter will be looking to add another Breeders Crown trophy to the growing collection of her owner, Determination Stable of Montreal, Que., at Harrah's Hoosier Park in Indiana. Emoticon Hanover won two during her illustrious career, which ended in 2019 with career earnings of more than $2 million.
"She's smoother than her mom," Blais noted. "Emoticon was a bit hyper."
A winner of four starts this season, including her Crown elimination and the Peaceful Way final at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Drawn Impression will start from post three for driver Louis-Philippe Roy. She's fourth choice in the morning line at odds of 9-2.
"I was very happy with the elimination. Louis didn't rush her, she answered well after not racing for a couple of weeks. I have a good feeling. She's had a good week and trained super well [Wednesday morning]," said Blais, whose past Crown winners include Intimidate (2012) and On A Streak (2020). Two of those four Breeders Crown wins (Emoticon Hanover in 2017 and On A Streak in 2020) came at Hoosier Park.
The Ontario-based horseman will have another Breeders Crown starter in the two-year-old trotting colt final. Private Access, also by Muscle Hill, scored a 19-1 upset in his elimination. He's 8-1 in the morning line and drew post two in the final.
Private Access had only one career victory prior to the elimination.
"Like a lot of two-year-olds, he showed a lot of potential in training. I was eager for it to finally come out at the races," Blais said.
Determination also will be represented on Saturday's Breeders Crown program when Silly Me Hanover vies for the three-year-old trotting filly title. The Walner filly was entrusted several weeks ago to U.S.-based trainer Linda Toscano for races south of the border.
She's 20-1 in the morning line from post eight, but actually led her elimination briefly in the stretch before winding up fifth behind Special Way.
"Linda thinks she'll be even better this week," said Blais.
Although each Crown victory was compelling in its own way, Blais said he'll always have a soft spot for the first one with Intimidate, a gelding he co-owned with Judy Farrow of Hemmingford, Que.
"Remember, we supplemented to that one, and weren't rich. It was a special moment."
Hoosier Park hosts all four Breeders Crown finals for two-year-olds on Friday. The eight remaining events will be held on Saturday. Racing begins at 6 p.m. (EDT) both nights. For free program pages, click here.
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)