Indiana sire Swan For All swept the first two Breeders Crown events on Saturday night as Fiftydallarbill posted the mild upset in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot Final.
Driver Trace Tetrick had Fiftydallarbill off the early speed, established by Mets Hall (Andy Miller) as that freshman hit the first quarter in :27.3 with Samo Different Day (Jimmy Takter) and Crystal Fashion (David Miller) in behind. Favoured Fourth Dimension (Brian Sears) sat chilly in fourth while Miller moved Crystal Fashion from third to the front, hitting the half in a comfortable :57. Sears moved Fourth Dimension into the outer flow as Tetrick and Fiftydallarbill began an overland trip. Fourth Dimension looked strong heading through the 1:26.4 third station but that move towed Fiftydallarbill into perfect position to pounce in the stretch.
As the field straightened out turning for home, Tetrick had his charge off Sears' helmet and Fiftydallarbill exploded with trot. A few reminders kept Fiftydallarbill to task, tripping the timer in a lifetime best equalling 1:55. Mets Hall and Samo Different Day completed the triactor.
"I just wanted to get away clean; sometimes this colt gets a little nervous getting out of the gate," noted Trace Tetrick. "Today he was really good, I didn't push him, I landed and moved up the backside. Brian's cover, that's who I wanted to follow, it just played out correctly...lucky to be in the right spot at the right time."
Bill Crone trains Fiftydallarbill (Swan For All - CR Dixie Chick) for owner John Barnard of Miami, Florida. The freshman has now won seven of his 17 starts with earnings of $458,950.
"He was good all week, he came out of the race last week good and he was in the right spot at the right time," said Crone in the winner's circle after his first Breeders Crown win. "I was actually hoping I could be at least third; I didn't think we could beat the four (Fourth Dimension), I didn't think I could beat the two (You Know You Do)."
Barnard has experienced his share of success in the past with the likes of St Elmo Hero, but he was never able to grasp a Breeders Crown trophy before today.
"This horse was entered in the Breeders Crown because the Breeders Crown was in Indiana, and that's the only reason...the Indiana program is the best in the country."
The other Breeders Crown recaps from Saturday's card at Hoosier Park can be found in the 2017 Breeders Crown News Centre.