With Charlie Ten Hitch, the colt many considered to be the best in the division, not eligible to race in the Breeders Crown, the race looked to be a match-up that consisted of late bloomer Mr Chin, well-bred colt Super Pleasure and high-priced yearling Carry The Message.

A fast but fractious colt from the U.S. Midwest, Crystas Best, would have a habit of breaking early in the mile but recovering superbly. In his Breeders Crown elimination, he did just that -- finishing third after a break at the gate. How would he behave in the final?

With divisional standout and eventual U.S. Horse of the Year Armbro Goal out of the picture, the Breeders Crown for three-year-old colt trotters became a showdown between Firm Tribute and the Continental Farm entry of Supergill, Southern Newton and Continental Spirit.

With a five-length lead heading for home, Firm Tribute looked to have things well in hand. Berndt Lindstedt and Supergill had other ideas.

Sent off at odds of 32-1, Glow Softly was one of two fillies that Bill O'Donnell qualified for the 1986 Breeders Crown.

O'Donnell chose Jazzabel Hanover, leaving Glow Softly to driver Ron Waples.

The result was the longest priced winner in the history of the then-three-year-old stakes series.