by Moira Fanning, publicity director, The Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — Twelve of the top pacing colts in the nation entered the $500,000 Breeders Crown event for their division, forcing a single ten-horse elimination.

Somebeachsomewhere, the leading money-winning pacer in the sport this year with $2.1 million, took a bye to the final as did Progress Pace elimination winner Dali. Those two horses will be placed in the open draw for post positions, while the winner of the single elimination will get to pick his starting spot.

“I weighed that in my decision,” said Brent MacGrath, trainer of the Maritime sensation. “But the two weeks off will give me a fresher horse, so even the 10 hole won’t hurt him if he’s on his game.”

Little Brown Jug winner Shadow Play turned down a bye, opting to race in the elim, as did Blueridge Western. Next on the earnings list was Dali, who accepted a bye. The 3-year-old pacing colts will race Saturday night to eliminate two horses. The field in post position order is as follows.

$25,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace Elimination
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-Blue Claw-Mike Lachance-Mark Ford
2-Mystery Chase-George Brennan-Donnie Russell
3-Lisfinny-John Campbell-Bob McIntosh
4-Share The Delight-Yannick Gingras-Linda Toscano
5-Rudy Rednose-Brian Sears-George Teague Jr.
6-Shadow Play-David Miller-Ian Moore
7-Upfront Hannahsboy-Tim Tetrick-Jim Arledge Jr.
8-Blue Ridge Western-Dave Palone-Kevin McDermott
9-Bettor Sweet-Cat Manzi-Joe Poliseno
10-Riggins-Ray Schnittker-Ray Schnittker
Byes: Dali and Somebeachsomewhere

Breeders Crown qualifiers will be the focus of this weekend’s Holiday Harness Meet opening at the Meadowlands Racetrack. With 132 horses jamming the entry box, eliminations were needed in every division but the sophomore colt trotters, for the $4.9 million Breeders Crown Nov. 29 finals.

Fourteen $25,000 eliminations will be held Friday and Saturday at The Meadowlands. Friday’s elimination races for 2-year-olds will include three elims for freshman filly trotters, with world record holder Honorable Daughter and Windsong’s Soprano drawing in against each other. There will be two elims each for the remaining juvenile divisions of trotters and pacers.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, the 3-year-olds will take center stage, with three sets of eliminations, including the aforementioned sophomore colt pace.

The 3-year-old filly trot saw three byes accepted by the connections of Creamy Mimi, Lantern Kronos and Bella Dolce. The remaining 10 fillies will race for seven slots on the starting gate and the winner of the elim chooses a post position.

Sophomore pacing fillies included two $62,500 supplemental entries, Native Bride and Tug River Princess, and needed three eliminations to arrive at a field of 10 for the $610,000 final. Defending Breeders Crown champ Stylish Artist and 2007 Dan Patch winner A And G’sconfusion are among the entrants.

Complete elimination fields are available at http://racing.ustrotting.com.