Emoticon Hanover - Mare Trot
By Ellen Harvey, For The Breeders Crown
Emoticon Hanover (Daniel Dube) went back to back with Breeders Crown trophies to win the $250,000 race on a sloppy track by three-quarters of a length on Saturday night.
Caprice Hill (Brian Sears) was on the lead at the first :27.1 quarter, before being quickly overtaken by Ariana G (Yannick Gingras) just past that milestone. Ariana G held the lead to the :56.4 half, trailed by Emoticon Hanover and Broadway Donna.
Broadway Donna was up to engage her on the outside just past the half, but Ariana G held that lead to the 1:25.2 three quarters before Ice Attraction came up on the outside to make a try for the lead. While those two were looking for the finish line, Emoticon Hanover came charging on the outside to pass them both for the win in 1:54.1
The winner is trained by Luc Blais and owned by Determination. Ice Attraction was second, and Caprice Hill was third.
"She's nice right now, she's good," said winning trainer Daniel Dube. "We went to the passing lane last week, we went to the outside today. She does everything right, she is more relaxed. She is a special mare.”