Only Mack Lobell managed to claim the Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot, Three-Year-Old Colt Trot and Open Trot in consecutive years. But then came Gimpanzee, who jetted into the history books with a 1:51.3 victory in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot on Saturday (Oct. 31) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Crystal Fashion kicked to the lead from post 9 while Gimpanzee landed in the pocket, staying put past a :27.3 opening quarter before circling to the top approaching a :56.4 half. Atlanta, positioned fourth, tipped first over heading to the far turn and gained slight ground to three-quarters in 1:24.1 but began to lose ground heading through the stretch. Crystal Fashion took a shot at Gimpanzee up the open stretch though Gimpanzee rebuffed the late challenge, holding off Crystal Fashion by three-quarter lengths with Atlanta taking third and Majestic Player A finishing fourth.

“He’s just an amazing horse,” trainer Marcus Melander said after the race. “He means a lot to me. He’s been with us from the start, it’s just amazing what a journey it’s been for us. I don’t really know what Brian [Sears] had planned—I think he’s better chasing horses, but we went a little softer up the backside. It was hard to catch him—he’s a fast horse, too.

“It’s our third win together,” Melander, who has three Breeders Crown trophies to his name, also said. “It’s very tough to win these Breeders Crown races. We had some good shots this weekend and this is our first win, so I’m very happy. And doing this with this horse—taking his third-straight Breeders Crown—just shows how good of a horse he is.”

A four-year-old stallion by Chapter Seven, Gimpanzee won his eighth race from 11 starts this season and his 25th from 34 overall, earning $2,701,075 for owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable. Order By Stable bred the $4.00 winner.

The Open Trot was just one of the Breeders Crown Finals contested on Saturday's card. Visit the Breeders Crown News Centre for the rest of the recaps.