by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Campbellville, ON — They did it in drastically different ways but the end result was the same. Snazzy Millie surged past pacesetting Passionate Glide in the final strides of the first $37,500 (C$40,500) Breeders Crown Mare Trot elimination to win by a nose in 1:54.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Mystical Sunshine cruised to a 1:53.3 win for Daniel Dube.

Defending mare trot champion Mystical Sunshine, with Dan Dube at the helm, made a move past the quarter pole, controlled her elimination from beginning to end, and was never threatened in a coasting 1:53.3 mile.

The elim was marred by a break before the start by 2005 Crown champion Peaceful Way, who has likely seen her last comeback attempt.

“She’s nice to drive,” said Dube. “When I saw those two made a break, (those are) easy fractions for her, and she responded. A nice horse like her, she does everything right, you can do everything you want.”

The connections of the two mares chose their post positions for the $250,000 (C$270,000) Breeders Crown Mare Trot final, with Mystical Sunshine taking post two and Snazzy Millie opting for post three.

Chris Christoforou, driver of Snazzy Millie, wasn’t sure of his victory till the wire had gone by.

“It’s a pretty good mare that was in front of me (Passionate Glide). I didn’t know if I could get by but I thought I had a pretty good shot. When I tipped her head out she was full of trot,” said Christoforou.

“About halfway down the lane I thought we had a pretty good shot but until we were about two steps from the wire I didn’t know for sure.”

Armbro Flight winner Lavec Dream survived an early break to finish fifth and scrape into the final.

Mares that did not make the final were Up Front Hotsey, Peaceful Way, and Queen Serene.

The complete field, in post position order, with driver and trainer is listed below.

Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Passionate Glide – Ron Pierce – Jimmy Takter
2 – Mystical Sunshine – Dan Dube – Chris Ryder
3 – Snazzy Millie – Chris Christoforou – Kevin O’Reilly
4 – Pure Ivory – Steve Condren – Brad Maxwell
5 – Lavec Dream – Yannick Gingras – Pete Kleinhans
6 – Birminghim – Jody Jamieson – Harald Lunde
7 – Susie’s Magic – Dave Miller – Tony O’Sullivan
8 – Spare Time Rozie – Rick Zeron – Rick Zeron
9 – Hidden Viggorish – Dave Miller – Bill Zendt
10 – Freeze Frame – Luc Ouellette – Jim Raymer