Ocean Rock - Open Pace
Ocean Rock rips to upset in Open Pace
by Ray Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Allywag Hanover received only respect on the front as he put on a speed show with Ocean Rock right behind, but, come the straightaway, Ohio invader Ocean Rock charged after the odds-on speedster to land a 16-1 knockout blow on the line of the $600,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace on Saturday (Oct. 30) at The Meadowlands.
Driver Dan Noble secured the lead with Ocean Rock through a :25.4 first quarter, with Allywag Hanover alongside and gradually inching towards the top.
Ocean Rock kept Allywag Hanover off the cones until the 2-5 favorite cleared control into a :53.2 half and attempted to snag a breather around the final turn.
Clicking three-quarters in 1:21.2, Allywag Hanover spun for home with Ocean Rock lunging out of the pocket to threaten and Cattlewash creeping closer while angling three-wide from the pylons. Ocean Rock surged to the lead late in the stretch and kept Cattlewash at bay by a neck. Allywag Hanover settled for third, and Enavant flew down the center of the track for fourth.
“I was very happy with the position I was in,” Dan Noble said of the pocket trip after the race, “and I had a lot of pace there. I was trying to not be anxious and move too early.”
Owner + Breeder
Sandra Burnett
“I thought he raced super,” Todd McCarthy, driver of third-place finisher Allywag Hanover, said after the race. “We just had to do a little bit too much early. A bunch left and there was a little speed, so that first half was pretty steep for him. Usually, these last ones when I’ve left with him, he’s kind of been there by the turn. Just having to do that little bit more today, I was a little wary of that, and I was worried it was going to take a toll on him late. But he hung in there like a champion and he fought all the way to the wire. I couldn’t be happier with his performance. He was trying his heart out, but we had a good group following us today.”
Ocean Rock won the Open Pace as one of three horses receiving a bye from the elimination. Allywag Hanover and Catch The Fire were the other bye recipients.
“We figured we'd better take the bye; that way he'd have one easy week,” Noble said. He's a lot better off a two-week layoff, and we were hoping that would work out.”
The win gave Ocean Rock millionaire status with $1,209,522 to his credit for owner-breeder Sandra Burnett, who won a trophy in her Breeders Crown debut. Christi Noble trains the victorious 4-year-old gelding by Rockin Amadeus; both she and her husband, Dan, won their first Crown trophies in their first appearance.
Trainer | Driver
Christi & Dan Noble
“I'm glad that we finally got this opportunity this year since we didn't get so much of it as a 2- and 3-year-old — that he can go to these big dances and be competitive,” said Christi Noble, since Ocean Rock was ineligible for the Breeders Crown at 2 and did not supplement at 3. “We had a lot of support from back home, and my owners were here. It's fantastic.”
Ocean Rock, the third double-digit payoff of the 12 Breeders Crown events, returned $34.80 to win.
Purse $600,000
October 30, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Extras
Ecurie D - Open Trot
Ecurie D in command in Breeders Crown Open Trot
by Gordon Waterstone, for the Breeders Crown
The $650,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot at The Meadowlands may have had start-to-finish action, but the one-mile race became a walk in the park in the end for European star Ecurie D, who cruised to a 1:52 victory.
Trained and driven by Åke Svanstedt, Ecurie D — who was sent off the 1-2 favorite in the 11-horse field — overcame an eventful journey to get the victory.
Trainer | Driver
Ake Svanstedt
Leaving from post three, Ecurie D settled in second early behind the Yannick Gingras-driven It’s Academic, but the positions were quickly reversed as Svanstedt moved his charge to the outside and to the lead.
After an opening quarter of :27.3, Bob McClure sent Forbidden Trade charging hard toward the front, with Svanstedt releasing his rival and settling back into second by the :55.1 half.
Around the final turn and approaching the 1:24.2 three-quarters, Andy McCarthy had Ready For Moni on the move, having to go three-wide as Svanstedt angled Ecurie D off the pylons. Finding clearance turning for home, Svanstedt unleashed Ecurie D — who raced without front shoes — and the trotter stormed home with a :27.2 final quarter to win easily.
Back Of The Neck and driver Scott Zeron, sent off at 62-1, mounted a late rally from 10th at the three-quarters to take second and cut Ecurie D's final winning margin down to 2-1/4 lengths. Ready For Moni held on for third at 38-1.
Bred by famed French horseman Jean-Pierre DuBois, Ecurie D is a son of the recently deceased Italian sire Infinit. Registered in Denmark, Ecurie D was developed in Norway and is owned by Swedes Marko Kreivi Stables, Suleyman Yuksel Stables, and trainer Svanstedt.
Breeders
Jean-Pierre DuBois
Ecurie D had 14 wins in 17 starts across the Atlantic Ocean before arriving in the U.S. earlier this summer. He won his American debut on Oct. 10 in 1:50.4 in the $136,000 Allerage Farms at The Red Mile, and with his Breeders Crown triumph, he has now taken home $393,000 in his two North American starts to add to his prior earnings of $210,208.
Owners
Marko Kreivi Stables, Suleyman Yuksel Stables, and Ake Svanstedt
In addition to racing without shoes in front, Ecurie D also races with cotton in his ears, as opposed to the usual ear plugs.
“I shouldn’t say he’s a hot horse, but mentally he races fresh, so Åke prefers to try and keep him calm (by using the cotton),” explained Svanstedt’s wife, Sarah. “(Åke) found his way out (in the last turn) and he finished good.”
While Åke Svanstedt came into Saturday’s Breeders Crown finals without a trophy in 31 starts, he leaves with two, having won earlier on the card with Felicityshagwell S in the $300,000 Mare Trot.
Ecurie D became the fifth European-based trotter to capture the Breeders Crown Open Trot, joining Bold Eagle (France, 2019), Commander Crowe (Sweden, 2014), Equinox Bi (Italy, 2007) and Varenne (Italy, 2001).
Purse $650,000
October 30, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
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Rocknificent - Mare Pace
Rocknificent resolute in Crown Mare Pace
by Frank Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rocknificent, driven by Scott Zeron, made it two wins in a row over arch rival Lyons Sentinel with a 1:49 score in Saturday's (Oct. 30) $330,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace at The Meadowlands.
Racine Bell took charge through a :27 first quarter, but the early pace was not satisfactory for Zeron and his charge, who took the lead with gusto and left Racine Bell in second,
Peaky Sneaky, and with Lyons Sentinel a ground-saving spot fourth. Rocknificent was cool in command while JK First Lady left the pylons to ride the outside first-over with Indiana champion Rockin Nola picking up live cover through a :55.1 half.
Lyons Sentinel switched gears approaching three-quarters with no other mares making a strong impression upon Rocknificent’s lead. Lyons Sentinel was poised for her best challenge as the leader reached three-quarters in 1:22.3. Rocknificent accelerated home in :26.2 to keep 1-2 favorite Lyons Sentinel a half length at bay. Racine Bell tried to make ground up the inside but gave way to the closing Peaky Sneaky for third.
Breeders
Deo Volente Farms and T L P Stable
Owners
Enviro Stables, South Mountain Stables and Little E LLC
“Driving her is really robotic,” Zeron said. “She gives me everything every time. She lets me start her up leaving, get some soft fractions, and [in this race, it] became a great stretch race. We've been in that situation before, and Lyons Sentinel is tough to fend off. But today, we got the upper hand.”
Driver | Trainer
Scott Zeron | Linda Toscano
Toscano said, “It's going to sound like a mutual admiration society, but she does what she does because [Zeron] taught her to do that. He has done a great job with her; she's relaxed, shows up every week, gives a great effort and I'm tickled that she got the big one. I'd like to take credit for that, but that's just her.”
Rocknificent earned millionaire status with the victory, putting her lifetime earnings at $1,133,662. Linda Toscano trains the daughter of Captaintreacherous out of the Rocknroll Hanover mare Rocklamation, whom Deo Volente Farms and TLP Stable bred, for Enviro Stables LTD, South Mountain Stables and Little E LLC.
“I thought she went another outstanding race,” said Jim King Jr. of his trainee, runner-up Lyons Sentinel. “The trip beat her — first-over for a long time off a slow half for the bunch. We’re not ashamed of her, that’s for sure. That was a very good mile she went. She’s got the TVG left, and then hopefully we’ll start over.”
Rocknificent paid $7.40 to win.
Purse $330,000
October 30,2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Extras
Felicity Shagwell S - Mare Trot
Felicityshagwell S gives Svanstedt first Crown title
by Frank Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt made some mighty fine trotting mares chase Felicityshagwell S in the $300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot at The Meadowlands on Saturday (Oct. 30), wiring her foes in 1:52.2.
The Swedish horseman took Felicityshagwell S directly to the lead off the gate, and the field lined up directly behind her to a :27.3 first quarter with Weslynn Quest behind her, Refined third and Atlanta fourth.
Atlanta was poised to aim for a challenge, and took the overland route first-over as Felicityshagwell S crawled to a :57.2 half.
Breeders
Manken & Verrazzano
Looking for her first Crown win, 1-2 favorite Atlanta pursued Svanstedt's mare to three-quarters in 1:25.4, but Felicityshagwell S drew away through a :26.3 final quarter to win by 1-1/2 lengths. Atlanta held second, and When Dovescry took third over Ramona Hill amid the crop of closers who crowded in to contest the minors.
Owner
Knutsson Trotting
Felicityshagwell S, a 6-year-old Maharajah mare out of the Cantab Hall mare Diaz Boko, is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc. and was bred by Manken Ab and Verrazzano Ab of Sweden.
Svanstedt said, "She always leaves fast. I was waiting for some of the good ones to come, but no one was coming. So it was good for her. She had top form, and she won easily."
The mare raised her lifetime earnings to $524,050 with this win, her fourth in 16 this season and her 11th in 48 career starts. She paid $23.00 to win.
Trainer + Driver
Ake Svanstedt
Purse $300,000
Ocotber 30, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Extras
Perfect Sting - 3CP
Perfect Sting gets 'signature win' in Breeders Crown
by Gordon Waterstone
On a crisp fall Saturday afternoon (Oct. 30) at The Meadowlands, Perfect Sting became the first male pacer to win Breeders Crown trophies 2 and 3 since Artiscape in 1997-98 when he scored a 1:49.4 victory in the $600,000 Breeders Crown for sophomore male pacers.
Unlike last year, when Perfect Sting capped off an undefeated 2-year-old campaign with a dead-heat triumph in the Breeders Crown final with Summa Cum Laude, the son of Always B Miki had the winner’s circle to himself this time around, which gave a sense of relief to trainer Joe Holloway and the rest of the connections.
“Relief that he finally showed up,” said Holloway, who also won back-to-back Breeders Crown championships at 2 and 3 with Jenna’s Beach Boy in 1994-95. “We’d been consistent all year, but hadn’t got the job done. We needed to get a signature win, and this was a pretty good way to do it.”
Owners + Breeders
Brittany Farms and Val D'Or Farms
The Breeders Crown final was billed as a showdown between Perfect Sting and Charlie May after both won their eliminations last weekend at The Meadowlands. In the final, the bettors favored Perfect Sting slightly at odds of 6-5 over second choice Charlie May at 8-5.
Off the gate, the Tim Tetrick-driven Chase H Hanover left fastest from post six, with David Miller floating Perfect Sting away from post five and Brett Miller settling Charlie May in third from post two. David Miller sent Perfect Sting to the lead at the :27.3 opening quarter, but Brett Miller sent Charlie May forward as they headed up the backstretch, easily securing command.
Charlie May led by three-quarters in 1:23.4, but Perfect Sting remained close behind. In deep stretch, he was able to surge past his rival to win by a length, pacing his final quarter in :25.4. Chase H Hanover held for third, five lengths behind the winner.
Perfect Sting came into the Breeders Crown final with six wins in 15 starts and earnings of $971,847, the most by any Standardbred in 2021. But he also had eight second-place finishes — all by narrow margins — and that kept the colt from getting his proper accolades, according to Holloway. Prior to the Breeders Crown, Holloway had noted that, because of the plethora of photo-finish losses, Perfect Sting was just “six feet from greatness.”
“He’s been the most consistent and he’s made the most money,” said Holloway. “I realize we lost a few races it looks like we should have won. I just think he’s a great horse and he deserves it today.
“It never gets old, but it’s really special with this horse,” added Holloway, who won his ninth Breeders Crown championship.
Trainer | Driver
Joe Holloway | David Miller
For driver David Miller, who captured the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Pace with Test Of Faith earlier on the card, his victory with Perfect Sting now gives him 29 championship trophies on his mantel. Two of Miller’s prior Breeders Crown scores came with Perfect Sting’s sire, Always B Miki, who is a two-time Crown champion.
“All year long, he’s been the bridesmaid, and it’s nice to see him win a big race. It’s very gratifying,” Miller said about Perfect Sting. “A few of those (losses) were heartbreaking. I’m so proud of him, so happy for the horse. It’s a tough 3-year-old season, and he’s stood up every fight and made a good showing of himself.”
Bred and owned by George Segal’s Brittany Farms and Marty Granoff’s Val D’Or Farms, Perfect Sting boosted his 2021 earnings to $1,273,847 and career total to $1,808,147 with the victory.
“The horse always performs; he just put it all together today,” said Segal, whose Brittany Farms leads all owners in Crown history with 21 trophies.
With the victory, Perfect Sting received an invitation to the upcoming TVG final against older horses in late November at The Meadowlands.
Purse $600,000
October 30, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Extras
Jujubee - 3CT
Jujubee takes no prisoners in Breeders Crown
By Jay Bergman, for the Breeders Crown
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jujubee and driver Andy McCarthy took no chances, blistering to the lead early and then holding on gamely to capture the $650,000 Breeders Crown 3-year-old trot for colts and geldings on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 30) at The Meadowlands. The $62,500 supplemental entry scored in a stakes record 1:51.2.
Owner | Breeder
Jon Erdner
Jujubee, a son of Creatine, blasted from the gate intently, taking control from Ambassador Hanover and Åke Svanstedt prior to the :26.2 opening quarter. Lucas Wallin positioned elimination winner Cuatro De Julio in third after leaving in the early going.
McCarthy got a softer half with Jujubee, hitting the timer in :55.3 while Delayed Hanover and Fly Light were stacked on the outside in distant first- and second-over positions.
Jujubee picked up the pace on the turn as Cuatro De Julio moved to the outside to go without cover but failed to draw up to the 3-5 favored Jujubee, who hit three quarters in 1:23.4 and appeared ready to open lengths on the field. For much of the stretch, Jujubee appeared to have a safe advantage, but in mid-stretch, horses suddenly began to stack wide with Fly Light and In Range coming widest, and Ambassador Hanover and Cuatro De Julio breathing down Jujubee's neck from the inside. McCarthy roused Jujubee at that point, and the Jon Erdner homebred dug in and showed his mettle, finishing out the mile with a :27.3 final quarter and a one-length margin of victory.
Fly Light and Dexter Dunn, who were parked the entire trip, rallied for second; In Range came off the pylons into the homestretch and flew late for show.
Trainer | Driver
Greg Wright Jr | Andy McCarthy
Jujubee has now won 14 of his 18 starts this year, adding the Breeders Crown to victories in the Kentucky Futurity and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship.
“He felt great scoring down,” said McCarthy following the race. “He was getting a little tired late, but he dug in. He’s a very gutty horse.”
Trainer Greg Wright Jr. was ecstatic: “He showed what a champion is.”
The victory pushed Jujubee’s career earnings to $961,857 and earned him an invitation to the TVG Final, where he would face older foes should the connections opt in.
Jujubee paid $3.20 to win as the public choice.
Purse $650,000
October 30, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Extras
Test Of Faith - 3FP
Test Of Faith towers over Crown fillies
by Jay Bergman, for the Breeders Crown
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Test Of Faith was one of the premier fillies in North America as a 2-year-old, but did not race in the Breeders Crown last year. The Art Major filly perhaps lost the division title last year for that reason, but likely won’t be ignored in the discussion for year-end honors as a sophomore after an awesome stretch rally and 1:49.4 victory in the $600,000 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 30) at The Meadowlands.
David Miller left the gate a bit cautiously with odds-on choice Test Of Faith, settling in mid-pack
The Richard "Nifty" Norman-trained pair of Grace Hill and Fire Start Hanover exchanged the lead through the opening quarter of :27
Test Of Faith edged to the outside on the backstretch and flushed the cover of Blue Diamond Eyes and driver Yannick Gingras, who methodically worked towards the leader.
Fire Start Hanover rated a soft half of :55.4, but found company on the final turn as Blue Diamond Eyes worked towards her flank, towing Test Of Faith into the action second-over and Scarlett Hanover third-over in the outer flow.
Fire Start Hanover, last year’s juvenile Breeders Crown champion, was still in control through three-quarters in 1:23.2, but her lead was diminishing. Once David Miller swung Test Of Faith three-deep, the filly exploded with pace, quickly overtaking the leaders in the late stages and drawing clear at the finish line.
Scarlett Hanover made a huge late rush to get the place spot for driver Tim Tetrick; pacesetter Fire Start Hanover salvaged third. Blue Diamond Eyes and Grace Hill completed the top five finishers.
Breeder
Fred Hertrich
Test Of Faith won for the 21st time in just 24 lifetime starts for trainer Brett Pelling and owners Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Eddie Gran. Bred by Frederick W. Hertrich III, Test Of Faith pushed her career bank account above the $1.5 million mark with the victory.
Owners
Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Eddie Gran
"It didn’t go like I thought," Miller said of how the race unfolded for Test Of Faith. "I was planning on leaving and probably getting away around fourth, then probably having to come first-over. But when Dexter and a couple other ones left aggressively, I changed my plan. But I knew I was following a good horse, Blue Diamond Eyes. I just waited on her, and she just took me right into the race. She is pretty awesome. If I can just give her a little bit of cover like that, she comes off her cover really well. She felt strong at the top of the stretch, just waiting for me to call on her."
"It’s awesome she got this for the owners," said Pelling.
As the 1-5 favorite, Test Of Faith returned $2.60 to win.
Driver | Trainer
David Miller | Brett Pelling
Purse $600,000
October 30, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainmnet
Extras
Bella Bellini - 3FT
Late-stretch bag of Breeders Crown goods to Bella Bellini
by Ray Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The two favorites turned for home in front in the $650,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Trot. Altar, the 1-2 choice, braced for Bella Bellini, the 8-5 second choice, to bear down on her through the straightaway battle, but a bad step took Altar out of contention and left Bella Bellini to coast to a 1:53 victory on Saturday (Oct. 30) at The Meadowlands.
After getting stuck in far-turn traffic to almost lose her elimination, driver Dexter Dunn opted to place Bella Bellini near the front in a four-wide skirmish for the top.
Amazone Duharas protected position to the pylons while Bella Bellini kept a headstrong Altar three-wide moving to a :28 first quarter. Iteration, the fourth prong of the early pace battle, ducked to follow Altar’s cover, but broke stride entering the backside.
Bella Bellini overtook Amazone Duharas before yielding control to Altar, who cruised to a :56.4 half with the two-wide tier still developing far off the front.
Herculisa committed to grind first-over from fifth rounding the final turn and ranged to within two lengths of the lead to three-quarters in 1:25.4, though not near enough to seal Bella Bellini to the pylons.
Dunn moved to attack Altar off the bottom of the turn and drew to equal terms approaching the eighth pole. Their brewing battle turned brief with Altar caving to Bella Bellini’s pressure and jumping off stride midway through the stretch, giving the Richard “Nifty” Norman trainee an open-length lead to the finish. Anoka Hanover ripped from third-over to cut Bella Bellini’s advantage to the finish, beaten two lengths, while Splash Blue Chip rallied to beat Herculisa in a photo for third.
“She's always been so good off a helmet,” Dunn said of Bella Bellini after the race, having decided to try for a pocket trip instead of her usual second-over sweep. “I've driven Altar as well — she's run some good miles, and I just didn't want to get too far away from her if she was on her game. We pushed out a little bit early, and got a perfect trip after that.
“I was waiting and waiting, and [Bella Bellini] tried to go a little too fast and put a step in,” Dunn also said. “After that, I grabbed her up, and I just let her go to the line under a good hold. She's had a great year, but the last two weeks, she's never felt better. Credit to the team in getting her as sharp as she is at the end of the year.”
Owner + Breeder
David McDuffee
The victory adds to Bella Bellini’s strong 3-year-old season off the wings of a winless freshman campaign. She has won 10 times from 24 starts and entered millionaire’s row with the win, now owning $1,021,463 in her coffers. Bella Bellini's victory also makes her just the 11th filly to win both the Hambletonian Oaks and the Breeders Crown. Dexter Dunn won his eighth Crown trophy with the win, and trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman won his seventh. She is a homebred for David McDuffee, who won his eighth trophy as an owner but his first as a breeder.
Trainer | Driver
Nifty Norman | Dexter Dunn
“I'm not a big breeder, but when I do get one that can reach this far, it's a special feeling, for sure,” McDuffee said after the race. “It's a Pizza Dolce line [Bella Bellini's second dam], and I've had a lot of luck with it all along. She's frosting on the cake.”
Bella Bellini paid $5.20 to win.
Purse $650,000
October 30, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
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Monte Miki - 2CP
Monte Miki a gallant Breeders Crown winner
by James Witherite, for the Breeders Crown
East Rutherford, NJ
After being subjected to sustained pressure from Beach Glass on the far turn, Monte Miki ($9.40) fought gallantly in the lane to narrowly parry Gulf Shores in Friday's (Oct. 29) $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, at The Meadowlands.
Monte Miki secured the pocket behind early leaver Gulf Shores on the first turn, but when Beach Glass swept forward in the three-path through the first turn, Scott Zeron pulled Monte Miki from the pocket to overtake Gulf Shores through a :27.4 quarter and also force Beach Glass to tuck into the three-hole — a position Zeron was hoping to avoid.
"I didn't want to get in a bad spot," Zeron said. "I had a lot of options leaving the gate. When I got away that close, I wanted to make my way to the front and protect my spot on the first turn."
Once in control, the Always B Miki-Montenegro colt splashed through a :29 second sectional before facing intensifying pressure on the far turn — again in the form of Beach Glass, whom Pebble Beach flushed into the running line with seven-sixteenths to go. Pebble Beach advanced to within a neck of Monte Miki nearing three-quarters in 1:26.1, but the Metro Pace winner dug in to shrug off that rival in mid-stretch. Just as Monte Miki turned aside Beach Glass, though, Yannick Gingras found a lane up the pegs with Gulf Shores to take one final shot. Nonetheless, Monte Miki found enough to reach the winning post a long nose in front, staving off Gulf Shores just enough to seal a 1:53.2 win over sloppy going. Pebble Beach lifted belatedly off second-over cover and protected third over the late-rallying Hammering Hank.
"This horse fights like crazy," Zeron continued. "Once he sees another horse, he's really game."
Breeder + Owner
Velocity Standardbreds
Mark Evers trains Monte Miki, a Velocity Standardbreds homebred with six wins and $665,276 to his credit in seven career starts.
"We're just really impressed with him," Evers said. "Everything he does surprises us every week."
Trainer | Driver
Mark Evers | Scott Zeron
Purse $600,000
October 29, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Extras
Joviality S - 2FT
Post 10, No Problem
October 29, 2021, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
East Rutherford, NJ — Joviality S overcame post 10 and stormy conditions to win Friday’s $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old female trotters by a nose over Raised By Lindy in 1:54.4 over a sloppy track at The Meadowlands. Jiggy Jog S finished third.
Jiggy Jog S, Selfie Queen, and Lilbitalexis all left the gate alertly, as did Joviality S from her outside spot. Selfie Queen went off stride coming out of the first turn as Jiggy Jog S took the field to the opening quarter in :26.3.
Lilbitalexis moved to the front on the backstretch, leading to the half in :56.1, but faced first-over pressure from Raised By Lindy as they reached three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Raised By Lindy, the 6-5 favorite, took the lead at the top of the stretch, but driver Brian Sears moved Joviality S, who had followed Raised By Lindy’s cover around the final turn, to the outside and wore down their rival to get up in the final moment.
“I wasn’t too thrilled about the draw,” Sears said. “She drew the eight hole in the (New York) Sire Stakes final at Yonkers. She left hard from the eight hole and got the front. I know she had good gate speed and you can back her off after that, she’s got great manners. That makes my job so much easier.
“I couldn’t ask for a better trip. I’m just happy to get it done. My filly definitely loves chasing them down, and she got it done tonight.”
Breeder
AM Bloodstock
Owner
Stall Courant
It was Sears’ 35th Breeders Crown triumph, the second most in history behind John Campbell’s record 48. It was the fourth trophy for trainer Marcus Melander. All three of his previous victories came with male trotter Gimpanzee.
Joviality S, by Chapter Seven out of Pasithea Face S, is owned by Courant Inc. and was bred by AM Bloodstock. She has won eight of 11 races and finished second twice this season, earning $669,998.
Sent off at odds of 8-1, Joviality S paid $18.40 to win.
Trainer | Driver
Marcus Melander | Brian Sears
Purse $600,000
October 29, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainmnet
Extras
Niki Hill - 2FP
Niki Hill lives up to expectations
by James Witherite, for the Breeders Crown
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After coming up just short behind Queen Of Success in last week's elimination, Tom Hill's Niki Hill ($3.40) established early control of the terms in the $600,000 Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, held Friday (Oct. 29) at The Meadowlands delivering a devastating 1:51 score over sloppy going.
Niki Hill was parked through the entire first turn, working to clear Queen Of Success for the lead just beyond a :26.2 first quarter
She faced nary a nervous moment opting to maintain a two-wide advance instead of a midfield tuck on the first turn
Driver Dexter Dunn credited Niki Hill's sheer athleticism:
"She's got an amazing set of lungs; she doesn't seem to get tired," Dunn said. "She's got a high cruising speed. I didn't want to get her jammed up and start her up again. I thought I had the best filly in the race, and I drove her like that. She did the rest."
After working to gain the lead, Niki Hill coasted through a :54.4 half mile and evaded the first-over advance of Treacherous Dragon past three-quarters in 1:23.1 — at which point Queen Of Success faltered from the pocket and caused Dont Fence Me In to momentarily check.
Queen Of Success's misttep off the home turn enabled Niki Hill to more easily gain separation on her rivals, and she edged away steadily to capture her seventh career win by a widening 4-3/4 lengths. Ohio standout Sea Silk rallied off cover to collar Treacherous Dragon for runner-up honors.
Breeder
Dr. Stephen Dey
Owner
Tom Hill
Niki Hill, a Stephen Dey III-bred daughter of Always B Miki and Road Bet, has now earned $628,314 in her career. Prior to her Breeders Crown title, her biggest win came in the She's A Great Lady at Woodbine Mohawk Park, where she took her 1:50.2 lifetime mark.
Trainer Chris Ryder, who indicated after the race that the filly is also staked to the Kindergarten and the Three Diamonds this fall, was similarly delighted with his star pupil's bounce-back effort from last week's defeat:
"It was a statement from start to finish. I was super proud of her tonight. Last week, we had a little bit of a hiccup — she tied up a little bit, had a few minor issues. She was herself tonight."
Trainer | Driver
Chris Ryder | Dexter Dunn
Purse $600,000
October 29, 2021 | Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Extras
Rebuff - 2CT
Rebuff would not be denied
October 29, 2021, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
East Rutherford, NJ — Rallying from fifth coming out of the final turn to win Friday’s (Oct. 29) $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male trotters in 1:55 on a blustery and rainy night at The Meadowlands. Fast As The Wind finished second and favorite Branded By Lindy was third.
Temporal Hanover left the gate quickly from post seven and led to the first quarter in :27, with Branded By Lindy second and Testing Testing third.
Branded By Lindy moved to the front on the backstretch and faced outside pressure from Double Deceiver and Fast As The Wind as they reached the half in :56.1.
Rebuff, who was seventh in the early going, was third over entering the final turn, with driver Tim Tetrick making a three-wide move as the field hit three-quarters in 1:25.2 in heavy rain and strong wind.
In the stretch, Rebuff overtook Branded By Lindy and then held off Fast As The Wind by a half-length.
The track was downgraded to sloppy following the race.
“I was third over, and I was happy with that,” Tetrick said. “They went a very strong first quarter and with the conditions I was hoping they would come back to us, and they did. I was following live cover. We had to go three-wide a little early, but this colt has been racing really good and charging hard and he got it done today.
Breeder
Steve Stewart and Michael Andrew
Owners
Anderssen, Wallin and Delis
“I thought I had (Fast As The Wind) put away and the next thing, I look over and he’s coming back at us again. My horse got a little lost halfway down the lane. He almost made a break, but then he finished it off. The paycheck won’t say what he did.”
As for the weather conditions, Tetrick said, “It’s like a beautiful sunny day right now. You win a Breeders Crown, nothing else matters.”
The win gave trainer Lucas Wallin his first Breeders Crown and Tetrick his 22nd.
Rebuff is owned by Kjell Andersen, Wallin, and Pieter Delis. By Muscle Hill out of Meucci Madness, the colt was bred by Steve Stewart and Michael Andrew.
The winner paid $7.80 as the 5-2 second choice.
Trainer | Driver
Lucas Wallin | Tim Tetrick
