There are 11 trotters entered in the $500,000 Breeders Crown for three-year-old male trotters on Saturday, October 24 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Most are by marquee stallions well known to aficionados of U.S. pedigrees.
To have two starters – in a field of 11 – is an incredible achievement for Infinitif, given that of the remaining nine trotters in the field, only two are not by Muscles Yankee, Muscle Hill and Donato Hanover, all Hambletonian winners and high-priced stallions.
The stallion Infinitif, a son of Breeders Crown champion Pine Chip from the Coktail Jet mare Island Dream, was moved to Ontario from Kentucky in 2011 by Frenchman Jean-Pierre DuBois before being exported to Sweden that same year. Dubois, considered a bloodstock genius, has been out front in mingling the bloodlines of French and American trotters, with extraordinary results.
Infinitif made over half a million in purses racing overseas, primarily in Italy, and was brought to the U.S. by Dubois in 2008. Though he raced only once, he did take a mark of 1:53.1 in a qualifier over the Red Mile surface. An advocate of racing and breeding, Dubois then set Infinitif back to Europe where he continued racing for another year.
Despite his very limited stud book – with a total of just 47 registered foals, Infinitif’s offspring have earned more than $1.8 million. Nonetheless, Dubois nominated his stallion to the Breeders Crown program. Two from his last crop of 12 trotters will start in the $500,000 Breeders Crown for three-year-old male trotters.
Ontario Sires Stake star Dont Rush, a son of Infinitif-Color Me Pretty, has earned $583,101 for trainer and co-owner Dustin Jones. The colt is a result of a free breeding to Infinitif that was given to Jones by Dubois. He will start from Post 8 in the Crown event, which has been carded as the Race 8 on Saturday.
Infiniti As, from the Donerail mare Yankee Jeannie, will start from the second tier (Post 11) and is 20-1 on the morning line. With more modest earnings of $51,606, Infiniti As has been improving for trainer Anette Lorentzon since he was gelded.
Though both are longshots in a division dominated by the $2.4 million winner Pinkman, their presence in the sport’s elite events is enough.
For the first time in three years, Woodbine Racetrack will again host the Breeders Crown, harness racing’s most spectacular evening, when 12 championship finals, offering more than $6 million in purse money. It’s the richest day of horse racing in Canada as North America’s best two-year-olds, three-year-olds and older pacers and trotters will be in the spotlight seeking to claim divisional and possibly Harness Horse of the Year honours. TSN2 will air a special one hour telecast across Canada from 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. and will televise two of the 12 Crown finals live, the $500,000 Three-Year-Old Colt Trot at 9:19 p.m. and the $531,250 Three-Year-Old Colt Pace at 9:44 p.m. ET.
Among the marketing activities on Breeders Crown night are WEG’s First Bet On Us $2 voucher and a free toque (while supplies last), available on the 3rd Floor; $10,000 in Instant Cash Giveaways (wager through a self-serve wagering terminal at Woodbine for 100 chances to win $100) and a mandatory Jackpot Hi 5 payout on Race 13 (the carryover pool is currently at $557,000) scheduled for 11:27 p.m.
In addition, there will be two $100,000 Guaranteed Pick 4’s, Early (Races 4-7) and Late (Races 8-11).
To view the entries for the Breeders Crown card, and for past performances for the Breeders Crown entrants courtesy TrackIT, click one of the following links:
2015 Breeders Crown Finals:
(Hambletonian Society)