At this point, things couldn't have been written any better for San Pail and his connections. After having travelled south of the border and converted his doubters
, the $2.6-million earner now has the October 29 Breeders Crown in his sights. His driver, Randy Waples, has simply said, 'Bring it on.'
If everything falls into place for the world's top trotters, the 2011 edition of the Breeders Crown Open Trot at Woodbine Racetrack could be one for the ages. Besides the wealth of North American talent which is expected to clash at the suburban Toronto oval, a pair of highly regarded European invaders will make the waters even tougher.
Calle Wihlborg, owner of the eight-year-old Swedish trotter Commander Crowe, announced just a few weeks ago that the $2.2-million earning son of Juliano Star is scheduled to make the trek across the Atlantic to vie for the 'Crown.' Also, the connections of standout French trotter Rapide Lebel have accepted an invitation to the showdown.
The cast of characters eligible for the Crown Open Trot is deep, and includes Enough Talk, Lucky Jim, Corleone Kosmos and Arch Madness, among others.
Waples is well aware of the pedigree and achievements of the sport's top Open trotters, but he is equally aware that the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit is San Pail's stomping grounds. So, when it comes to the projected Breeders Crown acid test, Waples has said that the world's best should be looking out for San Pail.
“All I can say is there isn’t a horse in the world that I would trade for this one,” Waples told Dave Briggs after San Pail's 1:52.1 victory in the Allerage Trot last weekend. “He gives it his all. I think he’s proven to everybody that he’s the best in the game. I think they should be more worried about him… Anybody could beat him and I give kudos to them, but they better take a good look at San Pail, too.”
For just the second time in the history of harness racing's Breeders Crown Series, all 12 Breeders Crown events will be raced on a single card on October 29 (eliminations will be raced the weekend prior). This year's edition marks the first time that all 12 will be hosted in Canada.