from Breeders Crown Media

Toronto, ON — Rockin Amadeus, a 17-1 shot with Yannick Gingras, got up in the final strides to take the $600,000 2-year-old colt pace on Breeders Crown night (Oct. 27) at Woodbine.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Rockin Amadeus (#2) was a narrow winner in the Breeders Crown 2-year-old colt pace.

It was a three-horse photo at the wire, but Rockin Amadeus had prevailed by a half-length, with Wake Up Peter one-quarter length in front of the prohibitive choice Captaintreacherous for second, in the 1:51.2 mile.

Captaintreacherous, sent postward the 1-5 favorite, assumed command after an opening quarter by Urbanite Hanover in :26.3, leading his rivals to the half in :55.2 and was still comfortably in front by a length after three-quarters in 1:23.3.

But the Metro winner, who was coming off an easy 1:50 elimination win last week, began to tire slightly, as Rockin Amadeus and Wake Up Peter, the other elim winner, inched closer and eventually brushed passed the pacesetter just before the wire.

Trained by Jimmy Takter for owner-breeder Lothlorien of Cheltenham, Ontario, Rockin Amadeus, a well-bred son of Rocknroll Hanover-Kikikatie, was notching his third and biggest win in 10 starts. He’d come into the final off a distant third place finish to Captaintreacherous in his elim. With the $300,000 first place prize, Rockin Amadeus pushed his bankroll to over $450,000.

Said Lothlorien owner Susan Grange, “Not really (any pressure at 17-1?). It was a lot easier this time. We deliberately bought Kikikatie to breed with Rocknroll (Hanover). We’ve kept all the colts. This one made it work. He (Gingras) has done an excellent job.

“I’ve always liked (Rockin Amadeus). He’s had a bit of bad luck, but I always thought he had it. I’ve always thought he had a lot of heart.”

Grange also co-owned his sire, Rocknroll Hanover, who won the 2005 Crown Pace for 3-year-olds en route to Horse of the Year honors.

Rockin Amadeus lit up the toteboard, paying $37, $12.40 and $4, while combining with Wake Up Peter ($8.30, $3.30) for a $304.60 (2-4) exactor. A 2-4-3 (Captaintreacherous, $2.10 to show) triactor was worth $586.20, while a $1 superfecta (2-4-3-5 — Twilight Bonfire) returned $6,754.20.