Atlanta Wires Foes in Second Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Trot Elim
WILKES-BARRE, PA – From start to finish, Atlanta and driver Scott Zeron led the six-horse field and won the second $25,000 Breeders Crown elim for three-year-old trotting fillies on the “sloppy” track at Pocono Downs on Oct. 20, skillfully holding off a late-closing Lily Stride to win in 1:53.
The field lined up behind Atlanta, with Lily Stride next, followed by Manchego, then Ciao Dolce, Supergirl Riley and Phaetosive. Atlanta cut the fractions in :28, :57.4 and 1:26.
At three-quarters the only movement behind Atlanta came from Phaetosive. She came to the outside after lagging behind the five others and picked off enough of them to finish fourth and make the final.
Manchego rolled in the stretch to get third as Lily Stride was pushed futilely to try to catch Atlanta and finished second.
Atlanta is by Chapter Seven—Hemi Blue Chip. She was bred by Order By Stable.
“I wanted to command the lead early,” Scott Zeron said in the winner’s circle, “and [Atlanta] stole the first fraction. It took her a bit to get back after the two heats in the Hambletonian and she was coming off two heats at the Red Mile, so tonight was good.”
Rick Zeron trains Atlanta, the 2018 Hambletonian winner, and he co-owns her with Crawford Farms, Howard Taylor, Brad Grant and Holland Racing Stable. She paid $4.20 to win.