by Dennis Leonard for Breeders Crown

It all comes down to the Breeders Crown for handicappers, too.

There’s more at stake in next Saturday’s Crown finals than just $5.2 million in purse money, divisional titles and crystal trophies. There’s also the “ACROSS THE BOARD CHALLENGE” for cash, IPODs and bragging rights. Visit www.thebigm.com for details.

With that in mind, ace handicapper Dennis Leonard takes a look at Saturday’s eliminations for 3-year-old pacers and filly trotters.

Breeders Crown Eliminations – Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

Race 2- Three-Year-Old Filly Trot elimination.
Creamy Mimi, Lantern Kronos and Bella Dolce have byes to the final and will be placed in the open draw for post positions after race 9 tonight. The first seven finishers in this elim make the final and the winner gets to pick her starting spot.

Stage Show (4) – Jim Campbell has really gotten her straightened out since the disastrous breaks in Kentucky. With the three top seeds getting byes to the final she looks like she’ll be getting her choice of posts next week.

Poster Pin Up (2) – Brian Sears passed on driving George Teague’s horse to stick with this one and he just won a rich final with the other. She was a fringe player at long odds in the Kentucky Futurity as well as the Matron elimination before doing little in the Matron final.

No Pain No Gain – Raced credibly for 4th in the Matron final aided by the rail. Also made the final of the Futurity but broke at the start. She has enough ability to make the final given her inside draw.

Epangeline (7) – Her slow starting ways have contributed to her 2 for 15 record but she almost always trots faster than most in the lane.

Race 3-Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Top three finishers and the richest fourth-place finisher (08 earnings only) in the three elims advance to the final. Elims winners, in a draw by lot, pick their post position. Draw will be after race 9.

Beyonce Blue Chip (2) – This late developing gal just won out of non winners of two a couple of weeks ago so experience is not her long suit. Freshness and current form are however. John Campbell passing on almost millionaire Chancey Lady to drive her makes me sit up and take notice.

Artimitateslife (8) – Wants the lead and will probably get it. She hasn’t been able to hold on against Native Bride of late but no shame in that. There are none like that in this group so expect her to go a long way.

Chancey Lady (6) – She has had some difficult posts and adventurous trips of late. A ticket to the final would make her a millionaire. I see that happening.

Good News Lady (4) – Disappointed in her Matron elimination so Takter gave her a week off and then qualified her strongly at Gaitway. Sets her up well for this.

Race 6- Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace
Somebeachsomewhere and Dali took byes to the final. Those two horses will be placed in the open draw for post positions after race 7, while the winner of the single elimination will get to pick his starting spot.

Shadow Play (6) – Has not been on the track since November 1st but I suspect that will help him since it’s been a long season already. Assuming he is fit he should win at very low odds.

Mystery Chase (2) – Got parked and paid for it in his Progress elimination. Took a break and qualified very well down at his home base in Maryland. Looks primed for a bounce back.

Blueridge Western (8) – An almost identical scenario to Mystery Chase. Parked in the American National to Shadow Play but he held it together for second. Shipped back east and took a week off before blasting out a 1.51.3 qualifier at Gaitway. Ready to go.

Rudy Rednose (5) – Blazed on the lead in the Progress final and almost got it all. The question is how much will that effort take out of him. The others have freshness on their side.

Race 7-Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Top three finishers and the richest fourth-place finisher (08 earnings only) in the three elims advance to the final. Elims winners, in a draw by lot, pick their post position. Draw will be after race 9.

A and G’s Confusion (7) – Got a little exercise with that score at Chester. Caught two tough posts prior to that and had a very difficult trip in the Garnsey at Lexington. Voelz Hanover will be difficult to beat but this lass is poised to upset.

Voelz Hanover (8) – The queen of Canada comes south. She benefits from not drawing Native Bride or Btwnturheartnmine in her elimination. Can’t knock her in any way other than to say the better group seems to have raced elsewhere until now.

Tug River Princess (2) – Wasn’t thrilled with how she looked in the Matron final but she did grind out second place. She was the leading candidate for three-year-old filly pacer of the year earlier this season and could still get it if she gets crowned next Saturday.

Dragonfest (4) – Brennan went with her so we will also. The time off should benefit her after the speed try at Balmoral didn’t work out so well.

Race 8-Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Top three finishers and the richest fourth-place finisher (08 earnings only) in the three elims advance to the final. Elims winners, in a draw by lot, pick their post position. Draw will be after race 9.

Btwnurheartnmine (5) – This really is a fun match up between two great horses both in the best possible form. Native Bride got the better of her in Kentucky but she had a very difficult trip that day. Let’s see if she can work out something better. If she does I like her chances for revenge.

Native Bride (3) – Couldn’t possibly be any better right now. Has shown the ability to bush and crush or stalk and sweep. Will not go down easy.

Kelly’s Keepsake (7) – A very good performance in the American National although no match for the top pick. Pierce elects to go with this Erv Miller trainee over the Casie Coleman one.

Happy Dreamer (6) – All this gal has done is set a world record this year plus win a 381K race two starts ago. Not good enough to get anything above a fourth place nod.

Breeders Crown Colt Trot – No elimination needed
All 11 colts advance to next week’s final: Broadway Marquis, Celebrity Secret, Clerk Magistrate, Cloud Casino, Crazed, Deweycheatumnhowe, Holiday Credit, In Focus, John Paul’s Legacy, Make It Happen, and Napoleon. Open draw after Race 7.