With many divisions still in flux in regard to year-end honours, the connections of three of the top pacers in their respective groups each supplemented to their Breeders Crown event.
The Breeders Crown Open events attracted the richest female pacer, five-year-old mare Shartin N, whose 16 wins in 21 starts and bankroll of $820,861 made the $31,250 supplemental payment an easy decision for co-owners Richard Poillucci and Jo-Ann Looney-King. Jo-Ann’s husband, Jimmy King Jr., trains the imported daughter of New Zealand stallion Tintin In America-Bagdarin.
Another Down Under sensation, Lazarus N, was supplemented to the $400,000 Crown Open Pace to the tune of $50,000. The racing world has enjoyed heavyweight match ups featuring Lazarus N and McWicked, but Lazarus was scratched ‘sick’ from their last meeting in Saturday’s Dan Rooney Invitational by trainer Jimmy Taker to ensure he was in top form for the Crown. Lazarus N, owned by Taylor Made Stallions, has banked $400,245 in North America this year, with a two wins and three seconds in just five starts on this continent. Combined with his New Zealand earnings, he’s made $689,861 for a hefty $3 million lifetime.
Gary and Barbara Iles’ homebred sophomore pacing colt Lather Up emerged as the early season sensation, blasting a 1:48.1 mile in his North America Cup victory back in June. Trained by Clyde Francis and driven by Montrell Teague, Lather Up’s consistent performance on the racetrack has resulted in a 14-11-0-1 slate and $768,612 in earnings.
Regular entries for three-year-old and up trotters and pacers are due by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 16, at the Pocono Downs race office.
Two-year-old entries closed at 9:00 a.m. Monday and you can see the fields by clicking here.
The contestants for the 12 Breeders Crown finals will be determined through elimination races, if needed, this Friday and Saturday night at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Eliminations for all two-year-old events will be raced on Friday (post time 7:00 p.m.) and eliminations for all three-year-old and up events will be Saturday (post time 7:00 p.m.).
Elimination winners, in an order determined by lot, will draw for inside post positions 1-5 for the finals.
There will be an industry-wide low 15 per cent takeout on all wagers on all three nights of Crown competition.
The $6 million Breeders Crown finals will be raced on Saturday, October 27, which will feature an early post time of 5:30 p.m. (EDT)
(Breeders Crown)