2010 Breeders Crown Countdown~August 22, 2010

Glamour & Glory~42 days to Elims

By Frank & Ray Cotolo

Sophomore stampede On Aug. 22, Harrah’s Chester featured three-year-old pacers and trotters in the Battle Of Brandywine, Colonial and Valley Forge finals. On a damp day in Pennsylvania, the track was swarming with Breeders Crown eligibles, many of them popular names from the first half of the season.

In the Valley Forge, Put On A Show returned to form and won. Dancinwiththestarz, who beat her boldly last time out, was second. Hula’s Z Tam was third and fourth was Panagler. A And Gs Princess and Rock N Soul finished off the board.

“Show” challenged for the front at the second turn and wasn’t caught as the even-money choice. All the others had pocket trips and gave way to Put On A Show.

In the Colonial, much of the 2010 Hambletonian field met again. Sans the winner, Lucky Chucky was a resounding 1-5 favorite. As it turned out he won it easily and looks headed for another Breeders Crown battle.

Temple Of Doom, fit with a good post this time, was second and Cassis held for third. Once again bringing up the rear, finishing fourth, was Wishing Stone. Pilgrims Taj, Hard Livin and On The Tab were all off the board, as was Shaq Is Back, who made an appearance against the class he could not match to make it into the Hambo.

After Cassis rolled from post 9 to the top early, “Chucky” took the front and “Taj” challenged at the half. Chucky stole the race, Taj quit and “Stone” and “Livin” were fading from dead cover. Cassis closed late, making his second move, and got third as “Doom” took advantage of the pocket trip and gained late ground to get the place.

The Chucky win was extremely impressive as he rolled home an official 8 ¼ lengths ahead of the field in 1:53, tying the stakes, track and world record. But considering the talent in this crop it would be foolish to feel he is now the dominant soph-trot glamour boy.

Other Hambo co-stars surfaced in the Colonial consolation, where Pilgrims Chuckie was strong over Mystery Photo, Baximum, Big Stick Lindy, Break The Bank K and Boztheman. The other “Chuckie” went first over and wore down an unusually aggressive “Mystery,” who tried a wire-to-wire steal of the mile.

The Battle Of The Brandywine once again fooled the public as they bet One More Laugh to favoritism and left Rock N Roll Heaven for second. But, the arguably best soph-colt pacer of the year won. One More Laugh was second. We Will See was third and Fred And Ginger was fourth. Delmarvalous, BG’s Folly, World Of Rocknroll and Versado were out of the money.

“Rock” came from off the pace, going three wide on the mucky surface to roll easily down the stretch to victory. Delmarvalous was first over at three-quarters when Rock took cover. One More Laugh didn’t give way until the finish but was no match for Rock.
Another Rock nemesis, Rockin’ Image, tanked in the stretch in one of two “Brandywine” consolation events. Hung at the half and then taking over at three-quarters, “Image” gave way to shocking longshots late. I’m Gorgeous (14-1), first over at three-quarters, took advantage of the Image tank emptying and got to the finish line first. Europan Union (a colt we touted early on that has not shown much) was right behind “Gorgeous” and followed the closing pattern to get second at 83-1.

Crown eligibles were 1-2 in the second Brandywine consolation. Winner Fashion Heart, appears to be ready for a stronger second half than he had a first half of the season. He defeated the public choice, Nova Artist.

In the Colonial Consolation, Coco Lindy finally came through after some straining performances and won as the 5-2 second choice. Northwest Hanover defeated filly foes in a Valley Forge Consolation, with Full Picture second. Both are Crown eligible.