What a month for Homicide Hunter. After etching his name in harness racing's history books as the fastest ever at The Red Mile, he's followed that up with a Breeders Crown victory once again defeating the division's best.
George Napolitano Jr. settled Homicide Hunter away in second behind elim winner Top Flight Angel (Andy Miller), who fronted the field through a :27 opening quarter before facing pressure from Marion Marauder (Scott Zeron) through a :55.3 half. With Marion Marauder continuing to hound the pacesetter, Cruzado Dela Noche tipped off his helmet to start a three-wide bid heading to the third quarter, reached in 1:24. Top Flight Angel trotted strongly on the lead, undaunted by the talented individuals launching off cover. The danger, however, was poised in the pocket.
At the head of the lane, Napolitano appeared to try to tip oustide but instead darted to the inside passing lane with Homicide Hunter. Once the trotter straightened out, he unleashed a furious late kick to get up for the win in the $500,000 event by a length over a resolute Top Flight Angel in 1:52.3. Warrawee Roo (Dan Dube) closed well off cover to complete the triactor.
While Napolitano has enjoyed many victories over the Pocono oval, "usually the four claimers" he quipped in the winner's circle, this win marked his first in the Breeders Crown series.
"Wow. Words can't even explain it, I'm so grateful.
"I knew I could count on the horse. He was kind of running out real bad but I knew once I got him in the passing lane he's do his work and he did."
Chris Oakes trains six-year-old Homicide Hunter (Mr Cantab - Evening Prayer) for Crawford Farms Racing of Syracuse. N.Y. The winner's share of the purse lifts the world champion's seasonal bankroll over the $600,000 mark with a lifetime bankroll in excess of $1.72 million.
The Open Trot was one of 12 lucrative finals on a star-studded 2018 Breeders Crown night at Pocono featuring most of harness racing's top participants. Read about the rest of the stakes action in the 2018 Breeders Crown News Centre.