Still in search of his first Breeders Crown victory, Scott Zeron will be reunited with the fastest trotter he’s ever driven Saturday night, and he’s delighted.
Zeron wasn’t sure he’d get another chance with Quebec-owned Intimidate after missing the $175,000 Cutler final at the Meadowlands in May in order to attend his sister’s wedding in Greece. They’d finished third to Sebastian K in an elimination the week before, race-timed in 1:50.3.
Vincent Ginsburg drove Intimidate in the final for trainer Luc Blais and they finished ninth after racing three-wide much of the race. Sylvain Filion has driven the gelding in most of his starts since then but opted out for the $500,000 Breeders Crown final, where the five-year-old son of Justice Hall lucked into post 10, after getting 7, 8 (twice) and 9 in his four previous races.
If any horse can overcome the bad draw, Intimidate can, Zeron said. But it won’t be easy.
“The 10 hole is really tough, and he doesn’t have an amazing burst off the gate, but we’ll have to leave out a little. I’d rather be sitting outside, second over, than be down on the rail. You don’t want to get locked in.“
Intimidate, who upset Sebastian K in the Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk in July, has started only once since the end of August, capturing a Preferred event at Woodbine on Nov. 1.
“The Breeders Crown is always one of the toughest to win, because you have to be on your game at the end of the season,” Zeron said. “I know what he’s capable of and I think he’s fresh enough to do it. Some of the others have gone to battle a lot this year.”
It’ll be the third Crown appearance for Intimidate, who won the final at Woodbine as a three-year-old and finished eighth last year at Pocono Downs after uncharacteristically setting the pace. Any share of the purse will put him over $1 million in career earnings. He currently stands at $999,890 for owners Judy Farrow of Hemmingford and Ecurie Determination of Westmount.
Race 11 - $500,000 Open Trot
Post - Horse
1. Your So Vain - 8-1
2. Market Share - 7-2
3. Arch Madness - 12-1
4. Maven - 4-1
5. Flanagan Memory - 30-1
6. Archangel - 10-1
7. Creatine - 9-2
8. Wishing Stone - 20-1
9. Commander Crowe - 3-1
10. Intimidate - 8-1
For Saturday’s entries, click on one of the following links: program pages -- overnight sheet.
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)