by Moira Fanning, publicity director, The Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — A 12-pack of mares — bedecked with year-end titles north and south of the border and boasting total lifetime earnings of $11.8 million among them — will arrive at a field of 10 after an elimination on Friday for the $331,500 Breeders Crown Mare Pace final, one of four open events scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30, at Mohawk Racetrack.

Two-time Breeders Crown champion My Little Dragon, who took a bye on seasonal money-earnings and will go straight to the final, could join the legendary Eternal Camnation as the only female pacer to win three Crown titles.

Competition comes in the form of 2006-2007 Dan Patch honoree Darlin’s Delight, an impressive winner of the recent Golden Girls at the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day. The daughter of two-time distaff Crown champ Town Pro lacks only her own Crown title to complete the mother-daughter legacy.

The $37,500 supplemental entry, Southwind Madonna, also opted to race, as did Roses Are Red winner Tidewaterdragonfly. Trainer Mickey Burke picked a week’s rest as the option for Ideal Weather, a 2007 Crown elimination winner last year at Mohawk. O’Brien winner Hana Hanover will also make a bid for the final.

The Breeders Crown Mare Pace will be raced on a stakes-laden Labor Day card that includes the Metro Pace and She’s A Great Lady finals.

Elimination winners may pick their post positions. The draw for post positions for Breeders Crown finals will take place live on TV after the eliminations. My Little Dragon (bye) and Ideal Weather (bye) will participate in the open draw. The elimination field is listed below.

Aug. 22-Race 5-$40,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace elimination
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-Hana Hanover-Randy Waples-Mark Steacy
2-Double Dream N-Jody Jamieson-Darren McCall
3-Illusionist-Mark MacDonald-Phillip Coleman
4-Four Starzz Meliss-Luc Ouellette-Glenn Lalonde
5-Tidewaterdragonfly-Tim Tetrick-Kelly O’Donnell
6-Southwind Madonna-Lyle MacArthur-Carl MacArthur
7-Michelle’s Power-Jody Jamieson-Steve Elliott
8-Darlin’s Delight-Yannick Gingras-Jeff Stafford
9-To Helen Back-Mike Saftic-John Pentland
10-Go On BB-Yannick Gingras-Richard Moreau