A 12-pack of mares, bedecked with year-end titles north and south of the border, will race this Friday to arrive at a field of 10 for the $352,815 Breeders Crown Mare Pace final - one of four open events scheduled for Saturday, August 30 at Mohawk Racetrack.
Two-time Breeders Crown champion My Little Dragon, who took a bye on seasonal earnings, will go straight to the final could join the legendary Eternal Camnation as the only female pacer to win three Crown titles.
Competition comes in the form of 2006-2007 Dan Patch honouree Darlins Delight, an impressive winner of the recent Golden Girls at the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day.
The daughter of two-time distaff Crown champ Town Pro lacks only her own Crown title to complete the mother-daughter legacy.
The $37,500 (US) supplemental entry, Southwind Madonna, also opted to race, as did Roses Are Red winner Tidewaterdragonfly. Trainer Mickey Burke picked a week's rest as the option for Ideal Weather, a 2007 Crown elimination winner last year at Mohawk. O'Brien winner Hana Hanover will also make a bid for the final.
The Breeders Crown Mare Pace will be raced on a stakes-laden Labour Day card that includes the Metro Pace and Shes A Great Lady finals.
Elimination winners may pick their post positions. The draw for post positions for Breeders Crown finals will take place live on TV after the eliminations. My Little Dragon (bye) and Ideal Weather (bye) will participate in the open draw. The elimination field is listed below:
$42,572 Breeders Crown Mare Pace elim
1. Hana Hanover
2. Double Dream N
3. Illusionist
4. Four Starzz Meliss
5. Tidewaterdragonfly
6. Southwind Madonna
7. Michelles Power
8. Darlins Delight
9. To Helen Back
10. Go On BB
(Breeders Crown)