Hosted by Woodbine Mohawk Park and the Hambletonian Society, the 2025 Breeders Crown Post Position Draw & Dinner took place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Country Heritage Park in Milton, Ont., with the three remaining post draws conducted.
Post draws were held for the finals of the Three-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot, Three-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace and Open Pace. Elimination winners drew for posts one through six before the remaining finalists were entered into an open draw.
Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, opened the gathering with a sharing of gratitude.
“Our leadership in Breeders Crown dates back to its inaugural edition in 1984, and Woodbine has hosted more Crown races than any other racetrack operator," said Copeland. "We're very proud and privileged to have that distinction. Thank you to John Campbell, Moira Fanning and the entire team at the Hambletonian Society.
“It's our pleasure to welcome the very best in harness racing to Woodbine Mohawk Park,” continued Copeland. “Big congratulations to all of our local owners, drivers and trainers that will be participating. We're very proud of our local racing industry here in Ontario and we love to see the amount of success at the highest level.”
The first draw was for the Three-Year-Old Colt Trot, which did not require eliminations.
Monserrate, whose trainer Andrew Harris was at the event, drew post position five.
“He’s been great here in Canada so I’m hoping he’s got a better performance underneath his belt,” said Harris.
He also trains Yo Tillie, an elimination winner and top contender in the previously drawn Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Trot.
“[Yo Tillie] is just awesome, she’s fantastic, she’s easy to work with and she just seems super sharp,” commented Harris.
The draw for the Three-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace followed. Dr. Ian Moore trains elimination winner Prince Hal Hanover, who drew post three.
“We were very happy to see that [win]. He’s had some tough goes,” said Moore. “It’s very difficult to maintain a horse at that level throughout the summer.
“He’s done well, he’s maintained his weight this year, which he didn’t do so well at the end of last year, so we’re hoping for big things for the rest of the year," continued Moore.
The undefeated Beau Jangles in the previously drawn Two-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace is another star for Moore.
“No matter what happens with this colt on Friday night, it’s been a heck of a ride for all of us, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and that’s what horse racing is all about,” said Moore. “That’s why we train these babies and rate these wild things every fall, so I’m looking forward to a good race Friday night.”
Pepsi North America Cup winner Louprint, who was nosed out in the elimination by Hunter Oakes trainee Dandy Ideal, will look to rebound from his first loss of the season in the Three-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace. One of three contenders trained by Ron Burke in the division, Louprint drew post eight.
“I thought he raced great," said Burke. "I actually thought he was going to get up, but that’s the thing, I take nothing away from Hunter's colt [Dandy Ideal], he never quit. If we get beat this week, we’re going to get beat going down in flames.”
The Breeders Crown Open Pace will be a heavyweight battle, featuring elimination winners Ken Hanover and Ervin Hanover.
Dave Menary-trained Ervin Hanover has been electric over the last couple months, winning each of his last four starts, including a gritty effort in his elimination.
“It was a big effort, coming first-up from a long way back into those fractions,” said Menary. “When you’re at this level, you’ve got to race hard every week.”
Here is how those fields will line up in this weekend's finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park:
$600,000 USD Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Meshuggah - Marcus Melander
2. Super Chapter - Marcus Melander
3. Maryland - Marcus Melander
4. Emoticon Legacy - Luc Blais
5. Monserrate - Andrew Harris
6. Gimpanzee Dancer - Chris Beaver
7. Happy Jack B - Ake Svanstedt
8. Greenma - Trond Smedshammer
9. Mr Mouton - Ake Svanstedt
10. Go Dog Go - Carter Pinske
$600,000 USD Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Madden Oaks - Cameron Capone
2. Manolete - Bruce Saunders
3. Prince Hal Hanover - Dr. Ian Moore
4. Captain Optimistic - Nancy Takter
5. Dandy Ideal - Hunter Oakes
6. Sippinonsearoc - Ron Burke
7. Crack Shot - Gregg McNair
8. Louprint - Ron Burke
9. TH Colby - Ron Burke
10. Fusion - Brett Pelling
$600,000 USD Breeders Crown Open Pace
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Coach Stefanos - Erv Miller
2. Ken Hanover - Roland Mallar
3. Captain Albano - Noel Daley
4. Calicojack Hanover - Luc Blais
5. Ervin Hanover - Dexter Dunn
6. Coaches Corner - Per Engblom
7. Maximus Miki - Thomas Cancelliere
8. Nijinsky - Antony Beaton
9. Oakwood Ardan IR - Robert Cleary
10. Huntinthelastdolar - Per Engblom
John Campbell, CEO and President of the Hambletonian Society, addressed the crowd to conclude the evening.
“It's a long and cherished relationship between the Hambletonian Society and Woodbine Entertainment, and we look forward to the same relationship on into the future," said Campbell.
“I have to give the biggest thank you to the whole Standardbred Industry,” he continued. “The Breeders Crown purses are all funded from within the industry, from the stallion owners to the yearling nominators to the owners and trainers to pay their horses in. To the participants that are going to be here this weekend, owners, trainers and riders, we thank you all and wish you all the best of luck racing this weekend.”
The 2025 Breeders Crown will mark the 42nd edition of harness racing’s championship event. The championships for the two-year-old divisions will be contested on Friday, Oct. 24 while remaining championships for the three-year-olds and open divisions will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25. First-race post time is 6:35 p.m. both nights.
For complete coverage of 2025 Breeders Crown events, including last weekend's elimination races, click here.
Woodbine Mohawk Park provided a live stream of the post position draws, which is available below.
(Woodbine & Standardbred Canada)