by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — A pair of fillies have been scratched from their respective Breeders Crown races this Saturday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Royal Assets, trained and driven by Ray Schnittker, finished fourth in her elimination and drew the eight post in the final of the $500,000 Breeders Crown 3-year-old filly trot but was scratched this morning.

Per the Breeders Crown conditions, the first also eligible can opt to move into the race on the outside post nine of the remaining entrants. Linda Toscano, trainer of also eligible Southwind Cocoa, will start the filly from the nine post with Tim Tetrick in the bike and Time To Kill (Ross Croghan-John Campbell) will move in one place to the eight hole.

In the $500,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly pace, elimination winner Gallie Bythe Beach was also scratched. The daughter of Breeders Crown champions Somebeachsomewhere and Galleria held a world record briefly in her elimination win of 1:50.3f, only to see it lowered two races later by Allstar Rating.

“She just didn’t come out of the race the way I wanted,” said trainer Jim Campbell. “I spoke with (owner) Jules Siegel and we decided we wanted to do what was right for her. We want to have a horse for next year and it was a decision we made together. You hate to scratch out of any race, especially the Breeders Crown.”

Because Gallie Bythe Beach drew post two, all but the rail horse moves in one slot and Rockingcam Park, the AE1, starts from post nine. Rockingcam Park is trained by Ron Coyne and will be driven by Brian Sears.

Post time for the Oct. 19 Breeders Crown at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will be 5 p.m. (EDT).