2010 Breeders Crown In The Books

The 2010 Breeders Crown championships featuring over $6 million in purses took place on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre

, Pennsylvania and all 12 events produced new stakes records for a five-eighths mile track.

Buck I St Pat ($4.80) defended her title in $250,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Ron Burke. The seven-year-old Jailhouse Jesse-Name It Something left from the outside Post 7 and took control after the :27.2 opening quarter. The 3-2 favourite carved out middle fractions of :55.1 and 1:24 before kicking away by two and a half lengths for a 1:52.3 triumph. Autumn Escapade (David Miller) finished second and Yursa Hanover (Daniel Dube) was third.

“She tries her guts out,” said an elated Tetrick.

Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, and Ron Fuller share ownership of Buck I St Pat, who earned double millionaire status this evening. She has won seven of her 17 races this year banking $617,425.

Taylor, who had been told earlier this year that this could be the end of the racing road for his champion, said, “We hope to see her back for this race again next year.”

Afterwards, Burke assured Taylor that Buck I St Pat will return. “She’ll definitely race another year,” he commented.

Enough Talk ($15.00) went wire-to-wire to capture the $600,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot by three and a half lengths in 1:52. The seven-year-old son of Enjoy Lavec-Fashion Setter, who carved out fractions of :27.1, :55.2 and 1:23.1, gave driver Ron Pierce his 21st Breeders Crown victory. Hot Shot Blue Chip (David Miller) and Neighsay Hanover (Tim Tetrick) finished second and third.

Triumphant Caviar (Luc Ouellette) made a miscue and was gapped off the gate at the start while race favourite and defending Crown champion Lucky Jim (Andy Miller) made a costly break before the half-mile marker.

"He felt really good, especially in the turns. I was very happy with the way the horse trotted in the turns tonight,” said Pierce in the winner's circle. “I was just going to let him cruise around there. I was just a passenger.”

Peter Kleinhans trains and owns the $1.7 million career winner with Jerry Silva of Long Beach, New York. The win was the gelding's fifth in 15 starts this year and pushed his seasonal earnings to $602,253.

“He was sick for his last two starts,” said Kleinhans. “They were probably his worst two starts of his life as far as I was concerned for not finishing well. He was sick for both of those so we gave him some time off and he got over the sickness and he raced his race. Before that he had some foot problems so he really hasn’t been himself since [winning] the Titan [on July 3 at the Meadowlands] until today.

"I think he’s staying at his good level," added Kleinhans. "I don’t think he’s really gone up or down lately so we’ll be back at eight unless something comes up.”

The Canadian-owned Martiniontherocks pulled off a 30-1 upset in 1:57 in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot for Pierce, trainer Dustin Jones and Ecurie Synergie of Montreal, Que.

Martiniontherocks fired to the lead from Post 8 and reached the opening quarter in :28.3 while Hey Mister (Brian Sears) and Celebrity Katie (Brett Miller) both made early breaks. Sweet Love (David Miller) also made a break while attempting a first over challenge before the :59.2 half.

Still in control, Martiniontherocks was faced with a challenge from Fitness Girl (Tim Tetrick), who applied heavy pressure to three-quarters in 1:28.2. The daughter of Conway Hall-Inspired Society turned back her challenger and kicked away by two and three-quarter lengths in the stretch to record her fourth win in nine career starts. The 1:57 winning time was a career-best for the filly. Angelette Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) finished second and Fitness Girl was third.

"I just left out of there and crossed over. [The breakers] helped alot," commented Pierce. "This filly caught my eye about five weeks ago and I've been watching her race every week since. I know this filly and she was kept well within herself everytime she raced. She always finished up with trot. That's what I liked about her. I kind of figured she would be ready for a big one tonight.

"He [Dustin Jones] does a great job," added Pierce. "He's one of the greatest trotting horse trainers we have in the game."

Martiniontherocks now sports a bankroll totaling $414,515.

Break The Bank K ($16.00) re-wrote the record books with his 1:52.2 World Record performance in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Trot. Brian Sears did the driving for trainer Trond Smedshammer and owner-breeder Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania.

Favourite Lucky Chucky (John Campbell) took the early lead from Post 4 and put up a :27.1 opener with Muscle Massive (Ron Pierce) challenging while Temple Of Doom (David Miller) and Pilgrims Taj (Mike Lachance) made early breaks. The pair locked in a cut-throat duel heading to the :55 half before Muscle Massive attempted to take back into the pocket and made a costly break in the stride.

Break The Bank K made his move next advancing from fifth and went head-to-head with Lucky Chucky, clearing at the third quarter in 1:23.1. The son of Revenue S-American Misty took off in the stretch to lower Temple Of Doom’s World Record by two-fifths of a second. Wishing Stone (George Brennan) came on for second, finishing one and three-quarter lengths behind, and Lucky Chucky edged out Take My Picture (Andy Miller) in a photo for show.

“I knew there was speed in the race and it could fall in our lap," said Sears. "It was the perfect trip we needed. [Lucky Chucky] was the horse to beat and [Campbell] drove him like he was the horse to beat. My horse was very sharp tonight. I scored him down and he felt super and it showed up on the track tonight.

“He was a tough colt all summer, but over the last month or so he’s been getting more and more sharp every week.”

Sears picked up his fifth win in the last seven years of the three-year-old Breeders Crown colt trot division.

“The glamour division is a great Breeders Crown to win. It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve had a lot of success with Trond and it’s been working out very well.”

Break The Bank K notched his fourth win in 15 starts this year pushing his earnings to $672,732 for 2010 and $915,104 lifetime.

Smedshammer confirmed his colt will head to the Kentucky Futurity next.

“I told Bob before this race that I really look forward to the Futurity," he said.
"I think he’s going to be awesome in two heats."

The undefeated See You At Peelers ($3.40) notched win number 13 in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Pace in 1:52.1. Jim Morrill Jr. drove the Bettors Delight-West Side Glory miss for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners Christina Takter of East Windsor, New Jersey, and John and Jim Fielding of Toronto, Ont.

Idyllic (Mark MacDonald) cleared the lead ahead of Ms Malicious (Ron Pierce) past the :26.4 opening quarter, but See You At Peelers quickly brushed up from third in front of the grandstand and reached the half in :54.4, followed by three-quarters in 1:23.2. She continued show the way into the stretch and reached the wire with one and a quarter lengths to spare. Strike An Attitude (Dave Palone) closed well from last to place over Idyllic.

See You At Peelers, who dominated the New York Sires Stakes this season, now boasts a bankroll of $581,649.

“Every New York Sires Stake she won she was just in hand,” said Morrill Jr. when asked whether he thought a NYSS filly could win the Breeders Crown. “Jimmy said she’s one of the best fillies he’s had so that’s good enough for me. She’s got a ton of speed, she can just do it right now. It’s been a nice year for her because 80 per cent of the races she won I was just taking her up at the wire and I think that’s what has helped keep fresh all the way to the end here. I knew she [Idyllic] was there but when I called on my filly I was pretty comfortable.”

“She has the Matron left on the stakes schedule but we probably won’t go there,” noted Takter.

The lightly raced Manofmanymissions ($28.80) and driver Andy Miller nipped Pastor Stephen at the wire to upset the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot in a World Record time of 1:53.2. The Yankee Glide-Armbro Vanquish colt, who drew into the final after Broad Bahn was scratched a few days ago, is trained by Erv Miller for Mystical Marker Farms LLC, M Biasuzzi Stable and John Carver.

Leader Of The Gang (Ron Pierce) fired off the gate from Post 4 while Big Rigs (John Campbell) made an early break. He put up the :28-second opening quarter while Dejarmbo (Jeff Gregory) launched his attack and Neal (Brian Sears) rolled off stride.

Dejarmbo, who later broke as well, remained parked around the turn and then ducked into the two-hole after third-place Orlando (Tim Tetrick) jumped it off past the :55.4 half.

As the colts raced to three-quarters in 1:24.3, Leader Of The Gang gave way to his stablemate Pastor Stephen (Yannick Gingras). The new leader looked as if he had the Breeders Crown title under wraps heading into the stretch with a two-length lead, but Manofmanymissions came flying home for the 16-1 upset in a sizzling 1:53.2. Swan In A Million (David Miller) was third.

"He made a break there at the start last week [in his elimination] and probably spotted the field 15 to 20 lengths and just went a huge trip," said Andy Miller of Manofmanymissions, who finished fourth in his elim. "He's got a ton of go and never quits. He doesn't know where the end of the mile is.

"I was having a little trouble behind the gate [tonight] from the nine-hole but when the gate folded and he got his legs under him, he moved up a couple spots there and then just kept inching his way up. He was following Pastor Stephen up around the last turn and then he [Pastor Stephen] took off in the turn and I had a little trouble keeping up with him, but when I got in the lane my colt just took off."

The time of the mile set a World Record for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on a five eighths mile track. Explosive Matter, Dejarmbo, and Correctamundo shared the former record of 1:55.

"I knew we were going fast, but I didn't think we were going quite that much," added Andy.

"He's a really immature colt [behind] the gate," noted Erv Miller. "Andy measured him perfect tonight holding him off the gate a little bit and not letting him get too buzzed up early there but the colt's got a ton of ability and we've just been waiting on him. Hopefully we can turn him into a real good three-year-old too."

Manofmanymissions, who will make a few more starts this year, picked up his third win in five outings and watched his earnings climb to $388,750.

The Canadian-owned Big Jim ($9.20) and driver Phil Hudon captured the $600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Pace in a dazzling 1:50.4. The Western Ideal-Bold Pink colt is trained by James “Friday” Dean for owner Jim Carr of Hamilton, Ont.

Line Officer (George Brennan) flashed early gate speed from Post 6 with Big Jim and Hudon to his outside moving up to take over, and favourite Fashion Delight (David Miller) zipping up alongside past the :26.4 first quarter.

Fashion Delight cleared in front of the grandstand and proceeded to the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:23.3 with Foreclosure N (Tim Tetrick) applying first over pressure.

As Fashion Delight entered the stretch, the pocket-sitting Big Jim shot up the rail and scooted to a one and three-quarter length victory. Shadyshark Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) rallied from the backfield to finished second over Fashion Delight (David Miller).

The time of the mile was just one-fifth of a second off the World Record for freshmen colts on a five eighths mile track, held by Rock N Roll Heaven.

"He takes a while to get in gear, he’s a big horse," noted Hudon after the race. "He doesn’t like being doubled up too much so I was kind of if-y about the two-hole but it all worked out good.

"I had a perfect trip," he continued. "I figured [Fashion Delight] would take us where we wanted to go. It just all worked out. I thought I would have trouble sitting in a hole but he’s just a good horse, good mannered and drives perfect.

"It's unbelievable. I don’t think there's anything that can compare except for having children, that’s about it."

Now five-for-nine this year, Big Jim has banked $479,580.

"I went to Harrisburg looking for an Ontario sired horse, couldn’t buy one," explained Carr. "I went to Hanover Farms and picked out two horses. This was the first one. I put a maximum [price tag] of $35,000 on him and that’s what I got him for.

"[He was named] after me. He’s big and he loves to eat just like me," laughed Carr.

The Canadian-owned Impressive Kemp ($28.00) rallied from the backfield to capture the $500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Trot in 1:54.4, giving driver Ron Pierce his third stakes victory of the night. Noel Daley trains the Credit Winner-Emilie Cas El filly for Jean Cloutier of Stanstead, Que.

Post 9 starter Wilsonator and 21-year-old Scott Zeron, Canada’s leading driver, emerged as the early leader before Behindclosedoors (Dave Palone) brushed to command as the field moved past the first quarter in :27, followed by Ultimate Cameron (George Brennan).

Ultimate Cameron maintained the lead to the half in :56 with the parked Bramalea Hanover (David Miller) leading the outer flow of Fashion Feline (Jim Morrill Jr.), Spicy Wings (John Campbell) and Impressive Kemp.

Impressive Kemp and Pierce followed Spicy Wings three-wide past the 1:24.4 third quarter and surged ahead on the far outside for the 13-1 upset. The margin of victory was one and three-quarter lengths. Behindclosedoors and Spicy Wings finished second and third with Wilsonator fourth.

“Coming into the race, I knew that she was a little tricky to drive,” noted Pierce. “I’ve raced her a few other times for Noel. A couple of times I got around okay and a couple of times I had a few problems.

“The trip worked out really good. They mixed it up a little bit up front. I had some good live cover and they took us to the head of the stretch.

“She was trotting just fine until I reached up and tapped her with the whip, which was the wrong thing to do because she sat right down on me and I really had to grab into her and steady her after that. She was just going to coast home but I just tapped her with the whip to keep her mind on what she was doing and she didn’t like it.”

"She’s always been very good. You just have to be a little careful with her,” added Daley. “For being off [a few] weeks she’s actually been really good. I told Ronnie when he jumped on that she’s actually going better than most of these fillies but she's going to need a little luck. He knew to be careful and he was, and it worked out perfect."

The career-best win was Impressive Kemp's sixth in 14 starts this year and pushed her earnings to $304,478 for 2010 and $351,580 lifetime.

Canada’s sweetheart Dreamfair Eternal ($4.60) went three-wide around the final turn and charged to a 1:50.3 victory in the $300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace for driver Randy Waples. The six-year-old daughter of Camluck-J Cs Nathalie is trained by Pat Fletcher for owner-breeder John Lamers of Ingersoll, Ont.

As Not Enough (Jim Morrill Jr.) attempted to protect the rail position off the gate, she made a break allowing On The Glass (Yannick Gingras) to clear during a :26-second opening quarter.

On The Glass proceeded to the half in :55 with Tug River Princess (John Campbell) advancing first up and Ginger And Fred (Brian Sears) moving three-deep as the field approached three-quarters in 1:22.4. The popular Dreamfair Eternal, fresh off a Milton Stakes victory on Sept. 25 at Mohawk Racetrack, also went wide and tracked down her rivals for the two and a quarter length score. Voelz Hanover (Daniel Dube) and Chancey Lady (Andy Miller) finished second and third.

Elated with the win, Waples offered his charge a proposal. "She's just a great mare to drive. I've said all along if I wasn’t married and she wasn't a horse I’d marry her,” he joked.

Dreamfair Eternal now sports a seasonal record reading 12-4-1 in 18 starts with $811,320 earned. Her bankroll climbed to over $1.5 million.

"It's just a great feeling," said Lamers. "It’s a bit surreal actually, but everyday I look out in my paddock and I see J Cs Nathalie there and she's in foal to Camluck again. You know, I'm hoping for another Dreamfair Eternal there.

"She has gotten better with age and I attribute that to Pat and Karen Fletcher, and Randy in particular for driving her the way he does and knowing the mare and knowing her every little trait. I think that is very important."

Put On A Show ($3.00) made a quarter pole move and held off Rock N Soul (Yannick Gingras) to win the $500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Pace in 1:50.1, giving Tim Tetrick his second stakes victory on the night. The Rocknroll Hanover-Stienams Place filly is trained by Chris Ryder for owners Craig Henderson of Chicago, Illinois and Richard and Joanne Young of Coconut Creek, Florida.

Rock N Soul (Yannick Gingras) gunned to the lead from Post 6 with Western Silk (Mark MacDonald) positioned in the pocket and favourite Put On A Show settling into third. As Rock N Soul hit the opening quarter in :27-seconds, Tetrick sent his charge to command and Put On A Show carved out middle splits of :55.1 and 1:22.2. In the stretch, she dug in to hold off Rock N Soul for the victory. Western Silk finished one and a quarter length behind in third.

"There’s some good fillies in there and they gave her all they could and thankfully my filly was tough enough and she held on real well," commented Tetrick.

"I did [want this one bad], she deserves it. She just got beat last year in the Crown by another nice filly [Fancy Filly] and she deserves a Crown. She's done everything right this year. She had one little blemish but she’s just a pleasure to drive."

Put On A Show earned her 12th win in 14 starts this season and pushed her sophomore earnings over the million-dollar mark.

“She’s been winning so much all year," said Ryder in the winner's circle. "Every horse in this race she’s beaten before and obviously being in the Breeders Crown you always want to win, but this was especially important tonight with this filly having such a dominant year. We didn’t want to disappoint.”

Put On A Show now boasts well over $1.8 million in career earnings and is the richest filly all-time.

“I tried to keep that in the back of my mind," he said of the earnings record. "I didn’t want to think of that too much but that’s a great thing that we can all be proud of. I’m thrilled that she's achieved it because it is a really hard thing to do."

“I guess after 24 years and most years where I couldn’t even win a race this is a big step up. I have never had a trophy like this, I don’t know if I’ll ever let it go,” laughed Young, clutching his Breeder Crown trophy.

Won The West ($7.60) successfully defended his title in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace with a 1:49 winning effort for driver David Miller and trainer Ron Burke. The six-year-old Western Hanover-Gabrielle gelding is owned by the Strollin Stable, William Robinson and James Koehler.

Favourite Shark Gesture (George Brennan) took control from the inside post position with Lisagain (Andy Miller) parked out after firing from Post 6. As Shark Gesture approached the opening quarter in :26.2, he made a costly break forcing Lisagain wide around him.

Won The West inherited the lead from the pocket and reached the half in :54.3 and three-quarters in 1:22.1 while Hypnotic Blue Chip (Jody Jamieson) angled out around the stalled Lisagain in pursuit of the leader. Won The West, however, could not be caught as he sprinted home in :26.4 for his second straight Crown. The winner's stablemate, Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras), followed for second, finishing three-quarters of a length behind, and Bettor Sweet (Brian Sears) was third.

"It worked out great. I left and fell right into the two-hole and I thought we were all set to get a good trip there,” said Miller, who noted that he wasn’t affected by Shark Gesture’s break. “George got him out of the way right away and he didn’t bother me.

"I’ve watched [Won The West] race and raced him a lot and I don’t think the front end is his thing but he’s getting older and he’s more focused and he just knows how to win.”

"When Shark Gesture ran I was just hoping our two would clear the mess," said Burke, "and when they got through I knew David would keep the pedal down and there would be no more led changed from there.

“Both of them are not slowing down and hopefully next year they’ll be back," said Burke of Won The West and runner-up Foiled Again. "They’ll finish this year up strong -- they’re both sharp -- and move on from there.

Won The West notched his sixth win in 16 starts this year and pushed his earnings to over $1.2 million for 2010 and over $3.4 million lifetime.

"I’ve got to give Pocono a hats off to them. It’s a been a great night tonight. It’s been everything we thought it would be,” continued Burke, who added that he loved having all 12 Breeders Crown championships on one card. “This is what I think it should have been and this is the idea behind it. It’s a great night, you have lots of people here and it's fun to watch and race.”

Rock N Roll Heaven ($2.40) took control at the half-mile mark and dominated his rivals in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace night cap for driver Daniel Dube and trainer Bruce Saunders. The Rocknroll Hanover-Artisitic Vision colt, who won by five and a half lengths in 1:49, is owned by Frank Bellino of Bronxville, New York.

Leaving from the inside post position, Shoobees Place (Ron Pierce) took control off the gate but gave way to We Will See (Brett Miller) en route to the first quarter in :26.1.

The action continued in the second panel as Fred And Ginger (Brian Sears) swept to command, followed by One More Laugh (Tim Tetrick) and then the final leader in the race, favourite Rock N Roll Heaven.

Little Brown Jug winner Rock N Roll Heaven took control at the :53.2 half and sprinted to three-quarters in 1:19.4 while One More Laugh made a miscue scattering some of the trailing horses. Rock N Roll Heaven was all alone on top as he turned for home and and cruised to his fifth straight victory. Fred And Ginger (Brian Sears) and We Will See (Brett Miller) finished second and third.

"Going into the first turn, I just tried not to get touched by anybody and when he cleared with those front fractions it was awesome," said Dube in the winner's circle. "I just kept driving on and I went [1]:49. I wish it was a bit earlier so it was warmer and he could go a little faster than that. He’s so good right now. It’s a shame I can’t race him next year.”

“Those were some bizarre fractions," said Saunders. "When he cleared and went down the backside it looked to me like he was just on cruise control. I think Danny was just concerned about getting the win and not really exhausting him any. He was very fresh in the winner’s circle."

Saunders confirmed that Rock N Roll Heaven will not be returning to race next season, but has a few more stakes engagements this year.

"We’re going to go to Lexington. He’s eligible for the Bluegrass next Saturday and we could supplement to the Tattersalls. I think Mr. Bellino probably wants to do that but it's all contingent on the well-being of the horse as long as he’s healthy and fresh. He’s got a few starts left and Mr. Bellino loves to race horses so we’ll race him every opportunity we can.”

Rock N Roll Heaven has won 11 of his 16 starts and earned over $1.4 million this year. He earned double millionaire status thanks to his $250,000 pay day.

Total handle for the 14-race harness racing program was $2,250,820.

If you missed the fields and recaps of the eliminations, click on the following stories for video replays and more information.

• Expert Breeders Crown Picks & Analysis
• Breeders Crown Finals Drawn
  Fields Complete, Posts Drawn For Two-Year-Old Breeders Crown Finals
• Three-Year-Old, Older Breeders Crown Elims Wrap Up
• Older Breeders Crown Finals Drawn

(With files from Breeders Crown. Photo credit: Pete G. Wilcox Photos/The Times Leader)