Entries for the $6 million Breeders Crown finals this morning revealed the expected – San Pail, Big Bad John, We Will See — and the unexpected in sophomore filly pacer See You At Peelers
and 15 sophomore colt trotting entries, including supplements Daylon Magician and Dejarmbro.
The Crown Trot, headlined by harness racing's top ranked horse San Pail and the two foreign invitees, Rapide Lebel and Commander Crowe drew just seven entries. The field also includes two former Crown champs - Arch Madness and Lucky Jim, as well as speedsters Define The World and Hot Shot Blue Chip.
San Pail, currently North America’s top older trotter in terms of form, will once again be centre stage as he contests in his first Breeders Crown.
Trained and co-owned by Rod Hughes along with Glenn Van Camp, San Pail couldn’t be more ready as the veteran trotter remains in top form after posting six straight victories.
“We are all systems go,” Hughes told the Woodbine Entertainment Group's media department. “He was terrific again the other night from the 10-hole and I couldn’t have him in better form. I decided to race him this past Saturday at Woodbine because I didn’t figure there would be eliminations and it proved to be right.”
A winner of $2,676,715 in his career, San Pail has captured 48 wins lifetime from 106 starts.
Hughes said that 'Pail' doesn't have any major issues to deal with currently, and that he will not be taking the European invaders lightly.
“When you’re racing at this level, you can’t overlook anyone,” he said. “I’m not that familiar with European racing, but I see what kind of miles they have both gone and the money that have earned. I won’t overlook that and I know Randy (driver Randy Waples) won’t either.”
The $250,000 Mare Trot and the $500,000 Crown Pace, each with 11 entered will go straight to finals. Two nights of eliminations are necessary to reduce the remaining divisions to the final fields for Saturday, October 29.
There will be elims for all two-year-old divisions on Friday, October 21 with the exception of the two-year-old filly pace, which has nine fillies and will advance straight to the $600,000 final. Two-year-old trotting fillies Circles and Win Missy B accepted byes and advance to next week's final.
All four sophomore divisions will require two eliminations on Saturday, October 22. The first five finishers from each elim will advance to the final. Elimination winners may pick their post position.
The mare pacing division drew 12, with Laughandbehappy and Ticket To Rock taking byes to the final. The elimination winner may pick her post position.
The $600,000 Breeders Crown Trot will be drawn at a press conference at WEGZ Stadium Club on Tuesday, October 25. Complete elimination and final fields for harness racing's championship night are now available. To view the entries, click the following links:
(With files from the Breeders Crown and WEG)
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