by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society
Cranbury, NJ — Alexandre Provost, owner of French superstar Rapide Lebel, believes he has one of the fastest trotters in the world and has accepted an invitation to prove his case in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Trot at Woodbine Racetrack on October 29.
The 6-year-old altered son of Ginger Somolli-Kornaie des Noes has won several Group 1 races, a condition of the Breeders Crown invitation. Up to two foreign trotters may be invited to compete in the race. At this time, Rapide Lebel is the only horse to be invited.
After winning his last start in Belgium, Rapide Lebel has committed to the Åbys Stora Pris at Aby Racetrack in Molndal, Sweden, on September 17. A win in that event secures overall victory in the European Grand Circuit standings for Rapide Lebel, leaving the month of October open for travel to Canada.
Rapide Lebel will challenge San Pail, the top-ranked horse in North America in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll. The Canadian owned, trained and bred trotter recently won his third consecutive Maple Leaf Trot title in a lifetime record of 1:51.1, his 43rd win in 101 lifetime starts. The 7-year-old gelding has been voted Older Trotter of the Year in Canada in 2009 and 2010 and now boasts a $2,465,606 bankroll.
The complete list of horses eligible to all 12 Breeders Crown events, as well as the racing conditions, can be found at www.Hambletonian.org.