After falling just short with Sunshine Beach against Captaintreacherous in an epic duel in 2013, owner Tony Infilise finally got to savour his first Breeders Crown victory a year ago with pacer Sylvia Hanover.
A repeat would be equally sweet for the Quebec-based businessman.
He'll have two cracks at it Saturday at Harrah's Hoosier Park when Sylvia Hanover and Front Page Story line up in the $600,000 Breeders Crown final for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Although she was outkicked in her elimination by pacesetter Strong Poison, who got away with a leisurely second quarter in :30.3, Sylvia Hanover remains the horse to beat Saturday. The Always B Miki filly has lost only three of 12 starts this year after a championship season at two.
"So many don't come back after a big successful year at two, so we're really pleased by the management of [trainers] Mark and Shawn Steacy," said Infilise.
"She seems to really like post five [she won the Crown from there at Woodbine Mohawk Park a year ago] so we were thrilled when she drew it again for the final. Hopefully, she'll get a chance to show what she can do. I don't think you'll see any 30-second quarters [in the final]."
Front Page Story, who's had a productive year racing in the shadow of her millionaire stablemate, got post 10.
"We're hoping she'll get a cheque," said Infilise, who'll be making the trip to Anderson, Indiana to watch the fillies race.
It probably will be Sylvia Hanover's final appearance of 2023.
"We hope to race her next year, if she's healthy," he said. "We've never had one as dominant in her category as she has been. She's the best we've ever owned. I think it's lovely to see good horses continue racing, but they're not machines."
Infilise and wife Betty, based in Hudson, Que., have been active in Standardbred racing more than 40 years and own about 50 horses, in whole or in part. At one point this season, they had as many as 30 racing.
Having scaled back involvement in day-to-day operation of the family business, Quadra Chemicals, three years ago, "we have more time to devote to this," said Infilise. "And we're really enjoying the ride."
The ride has brought them a Breeders Crown champion, and the Infilises couldn't be prouder.
"I love the trophy. It's on a buffet in our dining room. We pass by it every day," he said.
First post time for both the Friday and Saturday Breeders Crown cards of harness racing at Harrah's Hoosier Park will be 6 p.m.
Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Pace - Saturday, Oct. 28
Post - Horse - Morning Line Odds
1. Strong Poison - 2-1
2. Beach Cowgirl - 30-1
3. Sweet Amira - 20-1
4. Zanatta - 9-2
5. Sylvia Hanover - 5-2
6. Charleston - 15-1
7. Twin B Joe Fresh - 3-1
8. Always B Naughty - 30-1
9. McSeaside - 20-1
10. Front Page Story - 30-1
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)