Dismissed at odds of 19-1, Breedlove launched an explosive uncovered move that gobbled up the field and carried him to the upset victory in Tuesday’s opening leg of the Classicality Trot at the Meadows.
The event for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters honours Classicality, a fast-class trotter currently performing at the Meadows for the Dunn Stable.
Breedlove, with only a maiden victory to his credit, got away third from Post 8 and moved willingly first over for Mike Wilder down the backside. He drew off to score in 1:58.1, five and a quarter lengths better than the early leader, Chips Halloffame. Treasure Quest K was third. Norm Parker trains the son of Cantab Hall-Siren Hall for Shaleni Farm LLC.
The other $17,500 Classicality division was an odd-looking affair that began innocently enough when Moneycounts De Vie left for Dan Rawlings from Post 8 and appeared to be settling in the pocket. But the leader, Judge Russell, broke stride, left the course and continued to race inside the pylons. In all the confusion, Moneycounts De Vie found himself shuffled, without apparent racing room.
But Rawlings angled him off the cones, and the Andover Hall-Nordicdish gelding powered home to triumph in 1:57.3. The first-over Meadowbranch Memo was second, three-quarters of one length back, while Edinburgh earned the show spot. Dirk Simpson conditions Moneycounts Di Vie for James Bafia and Dirk Simpson Stable.
Wilder piloted five winners on the 15-race card, while conditioner Mark Goldberg enjoyed a training triple.
(Meadows)