Century Farroh notched the biggest win of his career and provided another win for Canadian connections after lunging past favoured Bettors Wish late to win the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace on Saturday (Oct. 31) at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
Sent off as the third choice at 7-1, Century Farroh was forwardly placed by driver David Miller from post seven and landed in the two hole behind Backstreet Shadow (Tim Tetrick). Backstreet Shadow fronted the field through fractions of :26.3 and :54.1 before coming under siege from an outer flow in the form of favoured Bettors Wish (Dexter Dunn) and second-over second choice Sectionline Bigry (Tyler Smith).
As the older pacers hit the third quarter in 1:21.2 and turned for home, Bettors Wish started to wear down the pacesetter and took the lead in midstretch. Miller was able to angle Century Farroh down to the passing lane inside Backstreet Shadow, and with plugs pulled asked Century Farroh for an extra gear. Century Farroh responded willingly and got up past Bettors Wish to win by a half-length in 1:49. Backstreet Shadow stayed for third.
The Open Pace is available around the 6:05:00 mark
"I wasn't real happy with the draw," driver Miller admitted in the winner's circle. "He'd been racing just fair, they added Lasix to him and he raced better his last start so I took a shot left, hoping to get away as close as I could and when I landed in the two hole I was pretty happy.
"He didn't feel like he was loaded with pace but when I got him in the passing lane and got his earplugs out he actually took off and got there."
Owned by Ratchford Stable NS of North Sydney, N.S., four-year-old Century Farroh (Mach Three - Beachy Girl) now sports a solid 4-4-4 summary from 15 starts with earnings of $1,420,525. The win also gives trainer Dr. Ian Moore his first Breeders Crown title.
"It's very exciting and very good for one tough animal," Moore told Trot Insider. "I think he deserves it. And nobody wants to stand him stud...maybe they will now."
The Open Pace was just one of the Breeders Crown Finals contested on Saturday's card. Visit the Breeders Crown News Centre for the rest of the recaps.