Corleone Kosmos and John Campbell sought redemption in the $638,580 Breeders Crown Open Trot on Saturday after breaking at the wire and being placed second in last year's event at Mohawk Racetrack.
The six-year-old S Js Photo gelding got away seventh as Enough Talk (Ron Pierce), Arch Madness (Brian Sears) and Knight Of Intrigue (Rick Zeron) battled for the early lead. Enough Talk prevailed posting a :27 opening panel, but Arch Madness cleared the front before the :55.2 half as Corleone Kosmos (John Campbell) made his move advancing on the outside.
Enough Talk swept out of the pocket providing Corleone Kosmos with cover through a 1:23.4 third quarter panel. Campbell used that cover to his advantage charging home in :27.2 for the win in 1:51.4.
Arch Madness held on for second while Digital Image (David Miller) got up for third, and Enough Talk faded to fourth.
Corleone Kosmos - Breeders Crown Open Trot
"He just didn't keep his mind on his work right through the wire last year," Campbell said in a post-race interview. "It was disappointing for myself and all of his connections. But a little bit of redemption – he came back and finished the job off tonight.
"I was fortunate enough to get cover going around the last turn following Enough Talk, and then when I tipped him out, he did the rest. He always swells up when he gets on a helmet, that's his best race. He has won some races on the front but he's better coming at horses. I think that was the key to the race, being able to follow Enough Talk going around the last turn."
Corleone Kosmos is trained by Darren McCall for Arthur Rudolph of Boca Raton, Bernard Owen of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Rudolph Stables Inc. of Ronkonkoma, New York. With 17 wins to date, he sports a bankroll of $1,645,738.
"Much better than losing. Redemption is sweet," said Corleone Kosmos stable spokesman Bryan Owen. "He got the total perfect trip for him, and when he got out at the top of the stretch I thought this is our race to lose! It took 30 years [for owners Rudolph and Owen] to win a Breeders Crown. Boy, that is one expensive trophy."
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from the Hambletonian Society)