2010 Breeders Crown Countdown~August 20, 2010

Only 44 Days to October 1 Breeders Crown Eliminations

by Frank & Ray Cotolo

Breeders Crown 2010 will feature the best of the dozen standardbred divisions on a single program at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania. With the second half of the 2010 season now in progress (we like to put the halfway point on Hambletonian day), the battles for berths in the coveted "Crown" events are in progress.

The who, what, where, when and why of eligible contenders for the Crown fields start now, with these special reports on highlighted events for all of the divisions’ eligibles, as a way to keep up with their performances. You will read how they performed no matter where they finished.

In league with a special page on Youbet, we will offer exclusive material for fans and bettors, so that the road to the Crown can be paved with green dollars as well as the hoof prints of champions.

Frosh-filly pacers

On Tuesday Aug. 17, two-year-old filly pacers were at Pocono Downs for four divisions of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS), worth $58,000 plus. There were no eligibles in the second division.

In the first division, Career Hanover was second. Sand Starla was fourth and Quick Babe was fifth.

"Career" was challenged at the half and didn’t retake. "Babe" was second over at three-quarters but gave way. "Starla" had a pocket trip but couldn’t make it worthy of a win.

In the third division, Your Space was the only eligible and was scratched.

In the fourth division, Cold Mist won easily. I’m Sooo Hot was third and Sammy’s Magic Day was out of the money. "Hot" was challenged around the turn and "Cold" was first over at the second turn. "Day" was hung at three-quarters; Day and Hot gave way in the end.

In the showstopper, Fashion Mystery was second at 17-1 and Lizas Pride was off the board.

"Mystery" led in the beginning, while"Pride" raced in second. They were shuffled back and Mystery picked up cover second over but was inside at three-quarters. Pride took that cover and gave way. Mystery couldn’t catch the leader.

Frosh-colt pacers

On Monday Aug. 16, two-year-old colt pacers vied in PASS at the Meadows. The three divisions were worth $74,000 plus.

In the first division, Mr Carmine Fra was disqualified and placed sixth. Alsace Hanover was placed first, Pangali was placed third and Mcmarvel was placed fourth. Merit Wings was off the board.

"Fra" challenged at the quarter and took the lead but was challenged. "Pang" came out at the half and almost took over at three-quarters. "Alsace" closed late for second and Mcmarvel came on the board via disqualification.

In the second chapter, No eligibles did much. Famous western was second and Sky Mesa was fourth. Wildsville and Expect Success were off the board. Yes We Can scratched sick.

In the third division, Hugadragon was second and Sharp West Hanover was fourth. Ray’s Sun and Vincent Fra were off the board.

"Hug" sat the pocket throughout, while "Sharp" was second over at three-quarters. "Vincent" broke at three-quarters and "Ray" was shuffled back and gave way.

In the final division, Something For Doc was second and Brass Cap was out of the money. "Doc" was challenged at the quarter and "Brass" went first over at the half. Brass gave way but Doc chased down Movie Idol, a non-eligible.

Soph-colts

On Sunday, Aug. 15, three-year-old colt pacers at Flamboro Downs vied for the for the Confederation Cup and soph trotters were in an Ontario Sires Stakes Final (ONSS). Meanwhile, at Chester, three-year-old pacers battled in PASS splits.

The colt trotters were first in the ONSS and Text Me got the win. Windsun Galaxie was out of the money and Expressway K was scratched.

"Me" gapped the gate by 6 lengths at the start and was far behind at the first-quarter. "Galaxie" broke at the quarter. Me went first over at the half and picked up cover at the third turn. He went three wide at three-quarters and caught the field.

In the first "Cup" elim heat, BG’s Folly won, barely. Third was Malicious and Foreign Officer was fourth. I’m Gorgeous and Outrageous Art were off the board. In the second heat, Tobago Cays couldn’t catch the non-eligible favorite. BP Chimo was third and Think Back was fifth. "Cays" left the gate fast, but Arachace Hanover, non-eligible, challenged at the first-quarter. Cays had the perfect pocket trip, like "Back." "Chimo" also had the pocket trip and made a late close.

In the Confederation Cup Final, Arachache Hanover got them all. BG’s Folly was second. Tobago Cays, Foreign Officer, Malicious and B P Chimo were all out of the money.

"Foreign" went for the front, while "Arachache" broke. Aracache challenged Foreign after he broke. Malicious sat behind the speed in the third spot. At the half, Foreign was first over but was used up early. "Folly" came four wide late and got second.

In the first PASS, We Will See won in the slop. Fred And Ginger was second and Fashion Heart was fourth. Pang Shui, Aled Hanover and Payne’s Landing were all out of the money. "See" went for the top, but was shuffled back by "Fred." See came up the inside and got them at the line. "Heart" came up the inside and passed "Shui" for fourth.

In the final PASS, One More Laugh got it easily at 1-5. Nova Artist was third. "Laugh" was second over at the first turn and controlled at the quarter. "Artist" was first over at the half, but gave way in the stretch. Laugh had drawn away in 1:51.1.