by Moira Fanning, publicity director, The Hambletonian Society

Campbellville, ON — Armbro Continental, scheduled to start from post six in the C$638,580 Breeders Crown Trot on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Mohawk Racetrack, has been scratched sick from the championship event.

“It’s really an awful thing for everyone, the owners, us, and everybody connected to the horse,” said trainer Stephen Bossence. This is a horse who spends most of the day outside and doesn’t like to be out of his environment, and after being in the retention barn he just got tied up tight as a drum. I have to do what’s right by him. I can’t race him.”

The 6-year-old son of Garland Lobell has made $379,750 lifetime for owners Bossence, Max Berkata and Doug Woodhouse. He was to have been their first starter in Crown competition.

“I feel the worst for my daughter, Stephanie,” continued Bossence. “She has worked so hard on him and I dreaded telling her. But we have to hope he will come back out of it all right.”

The Breeders Crown Trot is one of four C$1.9 million Breeders Crown Finals.

With the scratch of Armbro Continental (post six), Man About Town will move into the race as the first also eligible. He will wear saddlepad number 11 but leave from post 10.

Donato Poliseno’s Man About Town has won more than $500,000 life, but is still seeking his first win of 2008. Trained by Mark Silva, the 4-year-old son of Self Possessed galloped in the single Crown elimination, and was seventh placed ninth.

Paul MacDonell will drive Man About Town.