Milton, ON — Divisional supremacy and international glory will be on the line in the 12 Breeders Crown events at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

All four freshman events will require eliminations this Friday (Oct. 18). Likewise, all four sophomore divisions will require eliminations this Saturday (Oct. 19), while only the Mare Trot from the older ranks will need eliminations.

The 3-year-old colt pace (15 entrants) and 3-year-old filly trot (16 entrants) will have two eliminations each on Saturday’s card, while the sophomore trotting colts (12 entrants) and pacing fillies (12 entrants) will each feature just a single elimination after two byes were issued in each event.

The Mare Trot attracted 15 ladies and will need two eliminations to determine its final field. The Open Trot (11 entrants), Open Pace (10 entrants) and Mare Pace (7 entrants) will all headline directly to a final on Oct. 26.

A total of eight elimination races will take place on this Saturday’s card at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Saturday battles for Crown spots

Trainer Marcus Melander will send his three-headed monster of sophomore trotting colts Greenshoe, Green Manalishi S and Gimpanzee to Woodbine Mohawk Park for the Breeders Crown.

Only a single 10-horse elimination is needed in the 3-Year-Old Colt Trot division, as 12 horses were entered. The top two earners in 2019 received byes, while the other ten entered will compete to eliminate two ahead of the $500,000 final.

Melander opted to take the bye with the division leader Greenshoe, who has banked over $1.1 million this season. Hambletonian champion Forbidden Trade received the second bye, which was accepted by trainer Luc Blais. The Ontario Sires Stakes champion is eight for 13 with $963,922 earned.

Green Manalishi S headlines Saturday’s elimination from post two. The son of Muscle Hill is undefeated in four starts at Woodbine Mohawk Park, capturing this year’s Canadian Trotting Classic and last year’s William Wellwood Memorial.

Gimpanzee has drawn post four for the elimination, as the son of Chapter Seven attempts to become a two-time Breeders Crown champion. The New York Sire Stakes champion won last year’s 2-Year-Old Colt Trot final in convincing fashion and enters this year’s event having won 15 of 19 career starts.

The elimination field for the 3-Year-Old Colt Trot Breeders Crown also includes Don’t Let’em (post five), Marseille (post nine) and Pilot Discretion (post 10). All three trotters have posted strong results in marquee events this season.

The single elimination for sophomore trotting colts and geldings has been carded as race five on Saturday’s card.

The 3-Year-Old Colt Pace division is a wide open affair with a group of 15 separated into a pair of eliminations.

Pepsi North America Cup winner Captain Crunch has won just two of seven starts since his classic victory in June at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The Nancy Johansson-trained son of Captaintreacherous has been knocking on the door in his last two starts, posting runner-up finishes in each. The defending Breeders Crown champion has drawn post two in the first elimination.

Captain Crunch will tackle the likes of Meadowlands Pace winner Best In Show (post eight), Tattersalls winner Dancin Lou (post three) and multiple Grand Circuit stakes winner Century Farroh (post one), who was supplemented Monday by his connections for $62,500.

The ultra-consistent Bettor’s Wish (post one) will square off with Little Brown Jug champion Southwind Ozzi (post three) in the second elimination.

Chris Ryder trainee Bettor’s Wish has won 11 of 15 starts this season, including the Art Rooney, Milstein Memorial, Kentucky Sires Stakes championship and Tattersalls. The son of Bettor’s Delight has finished in the runner-up spot in all four of his defeats this season.

Southwind Ozzi rose to stardom this summer for trainer Bill MacKenzie by posting victories in marquee events such as the Adios and Little Brown Jug. The son of Somebeachsomewhere has won nine of 12 starts and earned the confidence from his connections to put up $62,500 to supplement to the Breeders Crown.

The top five finishers from each 3-Year-Old Colt Pace elimination will advance to the $600,000 final.

Trainer Ron Burke turned down a bye and will race defending Breeders Crown champion Warrawee Ubeaut in Saturday’s single elimination for the 3-Year-Old Filly Pace event. Tony Alagna’s Treacherous Reign and Bob McIntosh’s Sunny Dee received byes from the group of 12 entered, which sets up a 10-horse division to eliminate two for the $550,000 final.

Warrawee Ubeaut (post six) powers into her elimination on a six-race win streak, which includes scores in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final, Jugette and Glen Garnsey Memorial. The daughter of Sweet Lou has won 10 of 15 this season and is a 13-time winner with over $1.2 million earned.

The sophomore pacing filly elimination will also feature Ontario Sires Stakes champion Boadicea (post nine). The Bill Budd-trained daughter of Big Jim was supplemented on Monday to the event by her owners for a fee of $62,500.

Standouts Stonebridge Soul (post two), Tall Drink Hanover (post five) and Queen Of The Pride (post eight) will also compete.

The elimination for 3-year-old pacing fillies has been carded as race eight.

A competitive group of 16 has been split into a pair of eliminations for the 3-Year-Old Filly Trot Crown event. The top five finishers from each division will advance to the $500,000 final.

Elegantimage winner Evident Beauty (post one) for trainer ‘Nifty’ Norman, Zweig Memorial winner The Ice Dutchess (post two) for trainer Johansson, and Ohio Sires Stakes champion Only Take Cash (post three) for trainer McIntosh will all meet in the first elimination.

The second elimination will feature a matchup between Hambletonian Oaks champion When Dovescry (post two) for trainer Rene Allard and Kentucky Filly Futurity winner Beautiful Sin (post eight) for trainer Åke Svanstedt. Those two will also have to deal with Millies Possesion (post three), who has won 10 of 13 starts for trainer Jim Campbell.

The sophomore trotting fillies will clash in races two and three on Saturday’s card.

A strong turnout of 15 older trotting mares will allow fans the opportunity to see several superstars in action during this weekend’s eliminations for the $325,000 (USD) Mare Trot.

Four-year-old Manchego storms into Woodbine Mohawk Park on a three-race win streak, highlighted by a world-record 1:49 victory in the Allerage. The Nancy Johansson trainee is a 24-time winner and captured the Breeders Crown at age two in 2017. She’ll line up from post eight in Saturday’s second elimination.

A pair of two-time Crown champions will compete in the deep Mare Trot division.

Emoticon Hanover is going for a three-peat in the event after victories last year at Pocono and in 2017 at Hoosier. The Luc Blais-trained 6-year-old has won 24 of 68 career starts, hitting the board in 51 of those outings. She tackles Manchego from post three in the second split.

Former Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover returns to the Mare Trot Crown division for the first time since 2016. The Ron Burke-trained 7-year-old captured the Open Trot division in 2017 and the Mare Trot division in 2016. She is a 46-time winner with over $3 million in career earnings.

Hannelore Hanover lines up from post six in the first elimination, which also features local standout Dream Together (post one), supplemental entry Custom Cantab (post three), and the Svanstedt duo of Darling Mearas S (post two) and Plunge Blue Chip (post seven).

The Mare Trot Breeders Crown eliminations have been carded as races six and nine.

Rookies to clash in Friday Crown eliminations

Filly pacer Lyons Sentinel, this season’s richest 2-year-old, as well as undefeated divisional money-leaders Tall Dark Stranger, Real Cool Sam, and Hypnotic AM were among 63 freshmen entered Tuesday for the $6 million Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Eliminations for the 2-year-olds, which are necessary in all four divisions and go for a purse of $25,000 each, are Friday at Mohawk. The $600,000 finals for 2-year-olds will be Oct. 25 at Mohawk, with an early 7 p.m. post time.

Elimination winners, in an order determined by lot, draw for post positions one through five for the finals. The draws for the 2-year-old finals, except for the colt and gelding pace, will be conducted Friday following the eliminations. The draw for the colt and gelding pace will be Tuesday at the post-position draw and press conference at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Twelve horses were entered for the 2-year-old colt and gelding pace, with the connections of Capt Midnight and Catch The Fire accepting earnings-based byes to advance directly to the final. The top eight finishers from the remaining 10-horse elimination will join those two in the final.

Capt Midnight, by Captaintreacherous, has won multiple Grand Circuit stakes for trainer Tony Alagna. Catch The Fire, also by Captaintreacherous and trained by John Ackley, is a Kentucky Sire Stakes champion.

The connections of Tall Dark Stranger and Papi Rob Hanover declined byes.

Tall Dark Stranger is unbeaten in seven starts for trainer Nancy Johansson, with his wins including the Metro Pace at Mohawk. A son of Bettor’s Delight, the colt has earned $411,265 this season. He starts the elim from post four.

Papi Rob Hanover, trained by Brett Pelling, counts the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final among his three wins in eight starts. The son of Somebeachsomewhere finished second in the Metro and has earned $315,358. He leaves from post six.

Thirteen horses were entered for the 2-year-old colt and gelding trot, with the connections of Real Cool Sam, Port Perry, and Capricornus accepting byes to advance directly to the final. The top seven finishers from the remaining 10-horse field will join that trio next week.

Real Cool Sam, the Peter Haughton Memorial and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion, is unbeaten in nine races. Trained by Jim Campbell, the son of Muscle Hill has earned $454,575. Ontario Sire Stakes final runner-up Port Perry, a son of Kadabra, has earned $224,090 for trainer Luc Blais while William Wellwood Memorial runner-up Capricornus, by Cantab Hall, has earned $192,885 for trainer Marcus Melander.

Two-time Grand Circuit-winner Amigo Volo, a son of Father Patrick trained by Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman and Carter Pinske, will start the elimination from post three. New York Sire Stakes champion Third Shift, a son of Chapter Seven, leaves from post one for Åke Svanstedt. Ontario Sire Stakes champ Moon Bridge, a son of E L Titan also from Svanstedt’s stable, starts from post seven.

Twenty-one 2-year-old filly pacers entered the Breeders Crown, requiring three eliminations. The top three finishers from each elimination plus the fourth-place finisher with the highest earnings as calculated by Standardbred Canada advance to the final.

Lyons Sentinel, a daughter of Captaintreacherous trained by Jim King Jr., is in the third elim. She has won seven of 10 races this year and finished no worse than second in any start, earning $519,255. She brings a six-race win streak to her Breeders Crown elimination, with her victories including the She’s A Great Lady at Mohawk and the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final.

Ontario Sire Stakes champion Alicorn, trained by Chantel Mitchell, is in the second elimination while the first elim includes Indiana Sire Stakes champ Priceless, from the stable of Brandon Bates.

Seventeen 2-year-old filly trotters were divided into two eliminations, with James Doherty Memorial and New York Sire Stakes champion Hypnotic AM in the first. Hypnotic AM, by Chapter Seven, has won all seven of her races this season and earned $386,457 for trainer Marcus Melander. Also in the first elim is Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Sister Sledge, trained by Ron Burke.

The second elimination includes Peaceful Way winner Dip Me Hanover, trained by Linda Toscano, and multiple Grand Circuit winner Sherry Lyns Lady, trained by Jim Campbell. The top five finishers from each elimination advance to the final.

Harness racing heavyweights head straight to Crown Finals

A trio of events for older competitors will not require eliminations this weekend.

Foreign classic invitee Bold Eagle will star in the $500,000 Open Trot. The 8-year-old son of Ready Cash will take on 10 rivals in his North American debut, seeking to add a Crown title to his incredible legacy. Hall of Fame driver Brian Sears will steer the winner of over $5 million for trainer Sébastien Guarato.

France’s Bold Eagle is the first foreign classic winner to accept a Breeders Crown invitation since Commander Crowe in 2014, who won the Open Trot at The Meadowlands.

Four-year-old mare Atlanta has earned the confidence of her connections to take another crack at the boys in a classic event. The 2018 Hambletonian champion and winner of nearly $1.8 million will attempt to steal the attention of the trotting world from Bold Eagle and claim the Open Trot title for a 20th career victory.

This season’s highest earner in the Open Trot is Anette Lorentzon trainee Guardian Angel As, who scored the biggest victory of his career earlier this season at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The 5-year-old stallion captured the Maple Leaf Trot on Aug. 31 and most recently finished fourth in the Yonkers International Trot.

The Open Trot star power also includes World champion Six Pack, 2016 Hambletonian champion Marion Marauder and 2017 Breeders Crown champion Fiftydallarbill. The event is completed by Dunbar Hall, Mission Accepted, Southwind Chrome and Will Take Charge.

Reigning Horse of the Year McWicked is back to defend his title in the $500,000 Open Pace and is seeking a third Breeders Crown victory. The Casie Coleman-trained 8-year-old went four years between Crown victories after winning at age 3 and again last season. McWicked enters off back-to-back victories in the Allerage and Rooney Invitational.

The 10-horse Open Pace field includes two former Little Brown Jug champions in Courtly Choice and Filibuster Hanover. Blake MacIntosh-trained 4-year-old Courtly Choice scored an upset earlier this season at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Canadian Pacing Derby.

Hometown favourite Jimmy Freight will make his Breeders Crown debut in the Open Pace. The 5-year-old is a 21-time winner and has finished outside the top five only once in 50 career starts.

The field for the pacing heavyweight clash is completed by Always a Prince, American History, Dorsoduro Hanover, Easy Lover Hanover, Geez Joe and This Is The Plan.

Shartin N returns to the $300,000 Mare Pace with eyes on a second consecutive Breeders Crown victory. The 6-year-old New Zealand-bred has won 14 of 16 starts this season, frequently crushing her foes and earning much buzz as potential Horse of the Year. The Jim King Jr. trainee is undefeated in four starts at Woodbine Mohawk Park, sweeping the last two editions of the Roses Are Red.

While nearly flawless, Shartin N did taste defeat in her most recent start, finishing second to rival Caviart Ally in the Allerage at The Red Mile. The superstar mares finished in the opposite order in last year’s Crown event.

A 5-year-old, Caviart Ally has seven wins and top-three finishes in all 16 starts this season. The Brett Pelling trainee captured her second consecutive Milton Stakes last month at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The Mare Pace field also includes 2017 Breeders Crown champion Youaremycandygirl, and Dan Patch Award winner Kissin In The Sand. Bettors Up, Kaitlyn N and Kendall Seelster will also compete.

Elimination and draw details set

Breeders Crown 2-year-old eliminations will be held Friday (October 18) and the sophomore and open divisions requiring eliminations will race Saturday (October 19). Elimination winners draw for inside post positions one through five. Post positions will be drawn on Friday and Saturday after the elimination races, except for the 2-year-old Colt Pace, Crown Pace and Crown Trot. Those three events will be drawn at a Press Conference next Tuesday (Oct. 22).

Post time for Friday’s (Oct. 18) card is 7:50 p.m., while Saturday’s (Oct. 19) post time is set for 7:10 p.m.

Following are the fields, in post position order and with listed drivers and trainers, for Friday’s $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 2-year-olds at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

2-Year-Old Filly Trot – Elimination 1 (race one)

1. Madame Sherry (Tim Tetrick, Jim Campbell)
2. Shishito (Dexter Dunn, Per Engblom)
3. Winter Olympics (Åke Svanstedt, Åke Svanstedt)
4. Sister Sledge (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke)
5. Whose Blues (Bob McClure, Luc Blais)
6. Hypnotic AM (Brian Sears, Marcus Melander)
7. Globetrotting (Anthony MacDonald, Jason McGinnis)
8. Violet Stride (Tyler Buter, Mark Harder)

2-Year-Old Filly Trot – Elimination 2 (race three)

1. Tricky Sister (Dan Dube, Andrew Harris)
2. Crucial (Chris Page, Ron Burke)
3. Jula Shes Magic (Jody Jamieson, Susanne Kerwood)
4. Romona Hill (Andy McCarthy, Tony Alagna)
5. Dip Me Hanover (David Miller, Linda Toscano)
6. Wine Rack Hanover (Sylvain Filion, R. Nifty Norman)
7. Sherry Lyns Lady (Tim Tetrick, Jim Campbell)
8. Ms Savannah Belle (Yannick Gingras, Per Engblom)
9. May Baby (James Yoder, James Yoder)

2-Year-Old Colt Trot – Elimination (race two)

1. Third Shift (Åke Svanstedt, Åke Svanstedt)
2. Synergy (Yannick Gingras, Per Engblom)
3. Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn, R. Nifty Norman)
4. Rome Pays Off (Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander)
5. Back Of The Neck (Brian Sears, Marcus Melander)
6. Chestnut Hill (Tim Tetrick, R. Nifty Norman)
7. Moon Bridge (Dexter Dunn, Åke Svanstedt)
8. Beads (Paul MacDonell, John Bax)
9. Blue Cupertino (Doug McNair, Gregg McNair)
10. Horse Trader (Trevor Henry, Paul Walker)

2-Year-Old Filly Pace – Elimination 1 (race four)

1. Baby Your The Best (David Miller, Linda Toscano)
2. Peaky Sneaky (Dexter Dunn, Nancy Johansson)
3. Sound Idea (Chris Christoforou, John Balzer)
4. Gai Waterhouse (Yannick Gingras, Domenico Cecere)
5. Priceless (Brandon Bates, Brandon Bates)
6. Reflect With Me (Andy McCarthy, Tony Alagna)
7. Merga Hanover (Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke)

2-Year-Old Filly Pace – Elimination 2 (race six)

1. Keystone Kalimba (Jody Jamieson, Dave Menary)
2. New Year (Corey Callahan, Ross Croghan)
3. Shouldabeenatd (David Miller, Ron Burke)
4. Alexa Skye (Dexter Dunn, Ian Moore)
5. Alicorn (Louis-Philippe Roy, Chantal Mitchell)
6. Off The Press-Yannick Gingras, Paul Reid)
7. Lady Lou (Andy McCarthy, Tony Alagna)

2-Year-Old Filly Pace – Elimination 3 (race eight)

1. Somebeachsometime (Jody Jamieson, Dave Menary)
2. JK First Lady (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Johansson)
3. Marloe Hanover (Dexter Dunn, R. Nifty Norman)
4. The Bethinator (Andy Miller, Julie Miller)
5. Looksgoodinaromper (Chris Page, Ron Burke)
6. Lyons Sentinel (Tim Tetrick, Jim King Jr.)
7. Betalady (Jody Jamieson, Susanne Kerwood)

2-Year-Old Colt Pace – Elimination (race 10)

1. Mayhem Hanover (Doug McNair, Gregg McNair)
2. Team Best (David Miller, Blake MacIntosh)
3. Seeyou At Thebeach (Tim Tetrick, Brian Brown)
4. Tall Dark Stranger (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Johansson)
5. Cattlewash (Louis-Philippe Roy, Ron Burke)
6. Papi Rob Hanover (David Miller, Brett Pelling)
7. Freedom Warrior (Brian Sears, Kevin Lare)
8. Put To Right (Andy McCarthy, Tony Alagna)
9. Major Betts (Dexter Dunn, Mark Harder)
10. Allywag Hanover (Tim Tetrick, Casie Coleman)

Following are the fields, in post position order and with listed drivers and trainers, for Saturday’s $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 3-year-olds and upward at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

3-Year-Old Filly Trot – Elimination 1 (race two)

1. Evident Beauty (David Miller, R. Nifty Norman)
2. The Ice Dutchess (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Johansson)
3. Only Take Cash (Trevor Henry, Bob McIntosh)
4. Seaside Bliss (James MacDonald, Paul Kelley)
5. Grimmie Hanover (Corey Callahan, Jeff Cullipher)
6. Golden Tricks (Andy Miller, Åke Svanstedt)
7. Dark As A Pocket (Jody Jamieson, Mike Keeling)
8. Winndevie (Brian Sears, Trond Smedshammer)

3-Year-Old Filly Trot – Elimination 2 (race three)

1. Sweet Chapter (Tim Tetrick, Blake MacIntosh)
2. When Dovescry (Simon Allard, Rene Allard)
3. Millies Possesion (Dexter Dunn, Jim Campbell)
4. Miss Trixton (Brian Sears, Marcus Melander)
5. Go Time (Mike Saftic, Allan McCoy)
6. Cambridge Kate (Jody Jamieson, Stephanie Jamieson)
7. Asiago (Tim Tetrick, Per Engblom)
8. Beautiful Sin (Åke Svanstedt, Åke Svanstedt)

3-Year-Old Colt Trot – Elimination (race five)

1. Chin Chin Hall (Peter Wrenn, R. Nifty Norman)
2. Green Manalishi S (Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander)
3. Goes Down Smooth (Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke)
4. Gimpanzee (David Miller, Marcus Melander)
5. Dont Letem (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Johansson)
6. Soul Strong (Dexter Dunn, Åke Svanstedt)
7. Only For Justice (Chris Christoforou, Dany Fontaine)
8. Super Schissel (Louis-Philippe Roy, Per Engblom)
9. Marseille (Åke Svanstedt, Åke Svanstedt)
10. Pilot Discretion (Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna)

Mare Trot – Elimination 1 (race six)

1. Dream Together (Bob McClure, Luc Blais)
2. Darling Mearas S (Åke Svanstedt, Åke Svanstedt)
3. Custom Cantab (David Miller, Chris Beaver)
4. Supergirl Riley (Simon Allard, Rene Allard)
5. Top Expectations (Sylvain Filion, Ben Baillargeon)
6. Hannelore Hanover (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke)
7. Plunge Blue Chip (Åke Svanstedt, Åke Svanstedt)

Mare Trot – Elimination 2 (race nine)

1. Ice Attraction (Andrew McCarthy, Åke Svanstedt)
2. Hey Livvy (Trevor Henry, Jeff Gillis)
3. Emoticon Hanover (Bob McClure, Luc Blais)
4. Highland Top Hill (Doug McNair, Amanda Fine)
5. Weslynn Dancer (Scott Zeron, Richard Banca)
6. Royal Witch (Trevor Henry, Ben Baillargeon)
7. P L Jill (Mario Baillargeon, Ben Baillargeon)
8. Manchego (Dexter Dunn, Nancy Johansson)

3-Year-Old Filly Pace – Elimination (race eight)

1. Ideation Hanover (James MacDonald, Dave Menary)
2. Stonebridge Soul (Tim Tetrick, Chris Ryder)
3. Bestseller Hanover (Scott Zeron, Scott Blackler)
4. Philly Hanover (Brian Sears, Ron Coyne)
5. Tall Drink Hanover (Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna)
6. Warrawee Ubeaut (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke)
7. Sylph Hanover (Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke)
8. Queen Of The Pride (Brian Sears, Kevin Lare)
9. Boadicea (Jonathan Drury, Bill Budd)
10. Beautyonthebeach (Doug McNair, Gregg McNair)

3-Year-Old Colt Pace – Elimination 1 (race 10)

1. Century Farroh (Sylvain Filion, Dr. Ian Moore)
2. Captain Crunch (Scott Zeron, Nancy Johansson)
3. Dancin Lou (Dexter Dunn, Tahnee Camilleri)
4. Air Force Hanover (Simon Allard, Rene Allard)
5. Fixed Idea (Randy Waples, Todd Clements)
6. Semi Tough (Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke)
7. Stag Party (Doug McNair, Casie Coleman)
8. Best In Show (Bob McClure, Linda Toscano)

3-Year-Old Colt Pace – Elimination 2 (race 11)

1. Bettors Wish (Dexter Dunn, Chris Ryder)
2. De Los Cielos Deo (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke)
3. Southwind Ozzi (Brian Sears, Bill MacKenzie)
4. Bronx Seelster (Simon Allard, Rene Allard)
5. Covered Bridge (James MacDonald, Blake MacIntosh)
6. Blood Money (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Johansson)
7. Cant Beach That (David Miller, Brett Pelling)

For more information, go to the Hambletonian Society website or the Breeders Crown page on the Woodbine Mohawk Park website.

— with files from the Hambletonian Society