Pure Country grinds to Crown elim win

Pacing off the gate into fourth, Jimmy Takter-trainee Pure Country was flushed first over heading to the half and sustained her uncovered bid to win the first of two $25,000 eliminations for the Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Pace on Saturday, October 22 at the Meadowlands in 1:51.

Darlinonthebeach took the lead through a :27.4 first-quarter while Call Me Queen Be settled for the pocket. L A Delight, getting away last, moved two wide and managed to flush Pure Country heading to the half. Pure Country narrowed in on Darlinonthebeach through a half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:23.2 before sticking her head in front in the stretch. L A Delight fanned off cover and closed down the center of the track to take second, while Call Me Queen Be sprinted up the rail for third. Darlinonthebeach and Kiss Me Onthebeach also made the final.

By Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Hanover mare Western Montana, Pure Country won her 19th race in 29 starts, earning $1,662,198 for owner Diamond Creek Racing. Driven by Brett Miller, she paid $5.20 to win. “I always felt like she was better when she has a target,” Miller said. “Obviously, she can do it any way, but she was very tough tonight.”