With the connections of elimination winner Not Enough having selected the rail for Saturday’s $300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace at Pocono Downs, eight other positions were available. The draw tipped to Dreamfair Eternal’s side when the millionaire daughter of Camluck landed Post 4. Ginger And Fred (Post 6), Southwind Tempo (Post 7) and Tug River Princess (Post 9) have all drawn the outer portion of the gate.
Although, as John Campbell has often been quoted as saying, 'it’s just a starting point.'
The best and bravest of a fantastic group of pacing mares will leave the gate in search of a divisional crown on Saturday.
Dreamfair Eternal, with 11 wins in 17 tries this year, is the leader of the pack, but even she has faltered in some of the big races this season. Recently she’s been letter perfect for owner John Lamers and trainer Pat Fletcher. She grinded to victory in the $372,000 Milton Stakes on September 25 at Mohawk Racetrack where she overpowered many of the mares she will be facing on Saturday. Randy Waples has been her regular pilot and will be in the bike this weekend.
Not Enough won for the very first time this year last Saturday at Pocono with an impressive two-move effort. Driver Jim Morrill, Jr. confessed that he “pulled the earplugs early,” and that really fired up the four-year-old daughter of Grinfromeartoear. Second trainer Toni Rose thought Not Enough “wouldn’t last” on the front end, but she dug in gamely to hold off a classy group.
Trainer Jeff Webster was very happy with the performance of his two mares last week. “They both raced great,” he commented after the elims. Webster was perhaps less excited this week when Southwind Tempo and Tug River Princess landed outside starting spots for Saturday's tilt. Driver Tim Tetrick felt Southwind Tempo would be “better this week,” after the solid closing elimination mile. John Campbell thought his mare raced with tremendous heart. Fortunately she has enough early speed to overcome the outside post position.
Although she’s not been prominent in this year’s major stakes events Chancey Lady has entered the Crown with a real chance. Trainer Mark Kesmodel has speed-tightened her with some impressive miles at Chester Racetrack and she could be a factor from Post 3 with Andy Miller in tow.
To obtain a printable version of Pocono's 14-race Saturday program, click here.
(Breeders Crown)