The 2021 Breeders Crown Final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will set up a Meadowlands rematch for star sophomores Perfect Sting and Charlie May captured their respective eliminations on Saturday (Oct. 23).
Perfect Sting put forth a perfect performance in preparation for his attempt at a Breeders Crown repeat, winning the first elimination for three-year-old male pacers on Saturday (Oct. 23) at The Meadowlands.
Driver David Miller landed the favourite into third behind Chase H hanover (Tim Tetrick) and Summa Cum Laude (Brian Sears) through a swift :26.2 opening panel. Miller right-lined Perfect Sting down the backside and glided to the front just before a :55 half. Perfect Stong maintained a strong advantage with a 1:22.3 third quarter and stayed strong down the lane to win by four lengths over Chase H Hanover, Abuckabett Hanover (Andy McCarthy), Southwind Peytr (Jason Bartlett) and Illdrinktothat (Todd McCarthy).
While the trip worked out as trainer Joe Holloway may have expected, one main part of the mile was different.
"Different than what has been is that he got home well today," noted Holloway. "I mean, he paced through the wire strong today so I was happy to see that."
A homebred owned by Brittany Farms LLC of Versailles, Ky. and Val D'Or Farms of Spring Lake, N.J., Perfect Sting (Always B Miki - Shebestingin) pushed his sophomore record to 6-8-1 from 15 starts with career earnings approaching $1.6 million.
Charlie May will seek New Jersey redemption in the 2021 Breeders Crown Final for three-year-old pacing colts & geldings, winning the fastest of the two divisions contested on saturday (Oct. 23) at The Meadowlands.
The disqualified winner of the 2021 Meadowlands Pace, Charlie May forged first up against Southwind Gendry, cleared that rival at the head of the lane and then pulled away from his rivals in the stretch. Hanging in the lane, Charlie May hit the line in 1:49.1 ahead of Southwind Gendry, Rockyroad Hanover (Dexter Dunn), Heart Of Chewbacca (Dan Noble) and Water Sports Teen (Joe Bongiorno).
"Glad to come back here and get a chance...just thankful for the opportunity today," said owner and breeder Don Tiger. "The horse raced great, Brett said he was super. He's one of those horses once he clears and he doesn't hear anybody he slows up a little bit but he was super day. We still had a lot of pace left so he's good."
Steve Carter trains Charlie May (McArdle - Stipple Hanover), now a nine-time winner on the season and 16-time career winner. A win in next week's Breeders Crown final would lift Charlie May into millionaire status.
"He's a beast; we're really looking forward to the Perfect Sting showdown next weekend, and the best part about this is I know I can't draw the nine hole."
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