by Ray Cotolo, for the Breeders Crown

Toronto, ON — Pure Country maintained her undefeated streak in the $600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly pace on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Woodbine, winning in 1:51.4 as the 1-9 favorite.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Pure Country won her 10th straight in the Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly pace.

Call Me Queen Be obtained the lead from the outset, setting a :26.1 quarter while Mayhem Seelster rushed towards the top. Immediately into the backstretch, Pure Country was moving first over and towards the top, securing the lead through a :55.1 half.

Flying towards the pacesetter into the far turn, first-over Lyons River Pride put her nose in front of Pure Country, but couldn’t clear the lead. With the plugs pulled, Pure Country retook command and journeyed by three-quarters in 1:23.4.

After three-quarters, Pure Country extended her lead to three lengths over closing Shezarealdeal and Mayhem Seelster. She held her three length lead until the wire, winning in 1:51.4. Yankee Moonshine and Soft Idea were fourth and fifth, respectively.

A homebred filly from Diamond Creek Farms by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Hanover mare Western Montana, Pure Country collected her 10th win of the season and pushed her seasonal earnings to $689,968. Trained by Jimmy Takter, she paid $2.30 to win. It was Takter’s 22nd Crown victory, extending his lead on the all-time record for Crown wins by a trainer.

Driver Brett Miller scored his first Breeders Crown win aboard the filly.

“Oh my God, it feels so good to win it,” Miller said. “I’m so glad this race was early and I’m so glad we were able to win it.

“I was being a little cautious with her out of the gate, and it almost cost me (the race). I got very lucky to get out. Once I got out, I kind of eased her to the front, even though :55.1 is a big half. She’s just a tremendous horse.”

Miller said he had Pure Country, “pretty much shut down” when she was headed by Lyons River Pride in the last turn.

“I was trying to give her a breather; I was still pretty confident in the last turn. She’s got all the tools and some grit to her, too.”