If the recent Breeders Crown final for open pacing mares was any indication, this year’s Forest City Pace, the highlight of the fall meet at The Raceway at Western Fair District
should be memorable.
Eight of the 10 starters in the Crown final are eligible to the Forest City Pace, including the top five finishers, Anndrovette, Chancey Lady, Blissful Smile, Maureen Rocks and Ginger And Fred. Anndrovette, who won the Crown final with ease in 1:49.2, geared up for the Forest City with a winning qualifying effort at Chester Downs this morning.
A four-year-old daughter of Riverboat King, Anndrovette has earned over $740,000 this year and $1.3 million for Jeff Bamond and Joseph Davino of New Jersey, who purchased her mid-way through her three-year-old season.
"I don’t think she gets the respect she deserves. I don’t think she’s thrown in a bad race all year," Davino said after Anndrovette's Crown victory. "She shows up every week and tries her heart out. She’s been first or second for about the past 10 races. I can’t ask for a nicer horse and she’s just a pleasure to be around."
Last year’s Forest City champion and reigning Horse of the Year in Canada, Dreamfair Eternal, is also eligible to the Forest City. After a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Crown elimination, the winner of $2.3 million lifetime will prep for the race in the Mares Open at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday night.
Eliminations for the Forest City will take place on Saturday, November 19 and the $200,000 (estimated) final will be contested the following Saturday evening (November 26).
To see the complete list of nominees for the race, click here.
(Western Fair)