by John Siscos, WEG communications
Toronto, ON — Fresh off of winning her elimination, heavy favorite Anndrovette delivered in the $300,000 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace final on Saturday night (Oct. 29) at Woodbine Racetrack.
The Mark Kesmodel trainee took a new lifetime mark of 1:49.2 while notching her 11th victory of the season in 19 outings.
Anndrovette was in the pocket past the opening panel of :26.1 when catch driver Luc Ouellette took her to the front. The 4-year-old mare held the lead through splits of :54.2 and 1:21.3, scoring the Crown final by 4-1/2 lengths. Kesmodel’s other starter, Chancey Lady (Dave Palone), finished second with Blissful Smile (Jack Moiseyev) rounding out the triactor.
The daughter of Riverboat King-Easy Miss now has a lifetime record of 21-3-6 in 43 starts and boasts career earnings of C$1,324,598 for New Jersey’s Jeffrey Bamond and Joseph Davino.
Anndrovette paid $3.30 to win.
“She’s flying under the radar,” said Jeffrey Bamond. “I don’t think she gets the respect she deserves. I don’t think she’s thrown in a bad race all year. She shows up every week and tries her heart out. She’s been first or second for about the past 10 races. I can’t ask for a nicer horse and she’s just a pleasure to be around.
“This is the first Breeders Crown I’ve ever been to and my first horse in the Breeders Crown. Boy, it’s a dream come true. One for one; I guess it can’t get any better, but I hope it does.”