Amneris - 2FP
bay filly, by Tyler B
The photograph that best sums up the raison d'etre of the Breeders Crown is undoubtedly the one taken by the photo finish camera at Maywood Park at the conclusion of the $550,000 Crown for the freshman pacing fillies: three great fillies being urged by three of the greatest drivers in the history of harness racing, each of the six individuals desperately straining to hit the wire first, knowing that divisional honors lie just beyond the Crown finish line.
In this Instance, two of the leading candidates for the divisional title, Amneris and Stienam, driven by John Campbell and Buddy Gilmour, respectively, and a rank outsider with only a handful of lifetime starts, Nantucket Lobell, with Bill O'Donnell, were the first three fillies at each call, with Stienam setting the brisk pace and the other two fillies just behind. Campbell was the first to pull, swinging to the outside after the half and engaging Stienam in a head-to-head confrontation as they reached the three-quarter pole in 1 :27.1 on a cool Chicago evening.
It was Stienam, the 2-5 favorite, on the inside and Amneris, dismissed at a generous 12-1, on the outside through the last turn, with the surprising Nantucket Lobell, racing more like an old professional than a green filly, tucked just behind them. As they straightened away and charged toward the finish, it was apparent that was anyone's horse race, and the three reinsman, each as talented as anyone who ever sat it in a sulky, began to work in their own style,
Owners
Cedar Farms
Gilmour, the elder statesman of the three, pushing at the lines, Campbell keeping the bit teady In his filly's mouth, O'Donnell angHng for clearance and drawing his whip. II was a sight to behold as they hit the wire, almost on even terms.
But not quite. Amneris, who had endured the most difficult route of the three, was the bravest, and the Tyler B lass had a stout neck ahead at the finish line. Owned by the Cedar Farm of Lower Burrel, Pa., the Hanover-bred filly is one of the few pacers ever trained by the eminent Swedish.horseman Soren Nordin. Her sire Tyler B had cornered both Breeders Crown two-year-old pacing championships in his first crop; Dragon's Lair taking the freshman colt division of the Crown.
Trainer | Driver
Jan Nordin | John Campbell
Stienam, who had cut the fractions, was a gutsy second, just a nose better than the preoocious Nantucket LobeH, who had nearly pulled off an unbelievable teat. The time was 1 :57.1, just a fifth of a second off a world record that was set on a hot summer afternoon by Bardo! Lobell.
Purse $555,000
Maywood Park, Melrose Park, IL
Full ESPN Broadcast featuring the 1984 Breeders Crown Final for 2 Year Old Filly Pacers from Maywood Park in Melrose Park, IL won by Amneris. Also the Gary Skipper Pace won by Caballito
