by Jay Bergman, for the Breeders Crown

Toronto, ON — Southwind Frank made it look easy for driver Yannick Gingras, clearing to the lead by the quarter pole and never looking back to capture the $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Woodbine Racetrack.

The son of Muscle Hill-Flawless Lindy has been a dominant force in the division all season long and the Crown performance was no exception as he cruised over the rain-soaked Woodbine oval in a 1:54.2 clocking under wraps.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Southwind Frank was an easy 1:54.2 winner in the Breeders Crown.

Owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Our Horse Cents Stables and J&T Silva Stables, Southwind Frank is out of the Cantab Hall-sired Flawless Lindy.

Sent off as the prohibitive 1-10 favorite, Southwind Frank left alertly but Gingras waited for Sliding Home inside of him to clear the lead before hustling his colt to the front before the :27.1 opening quarter.

With little movement behind him, Gingras took the second quarter to shut down the pace with Southwind Frank trotting a :30.2 second quarter (:57.3) while in complete command.

The first horse to pull was Marion Marauder and Scott Zeron. Also by Muscle Hill, the colt grinded up towards the winner through the third quarter as Gingras let a notch out and Southwind Frank hit three-quarters in 1:26.2.

With Marion Marauder in pursuit, Gingras allowed Southwind Frank to hit his best stride and the colt opened ground effortlessly, cruising a final quarter in :28 and winning with ease in 1:54.2. Marion Marauder was a determined second-place finisher, the fifth time this year in 11 starts he finished in the bridesmaid role. Early leader Sliding Home earned the final board spot.

The victory was win number 11 in a dozen starts for the impressive colt trained by leading conditioner Ron Burke, who celebrated his ninth Breeders Crown victory.

“He was a bit more aggressive behind the gate this week,” said Gingras, who won his 12th Breeders Crown and 11th in the last three years. “Once I settled him down he was all business. From the first time I sat behind him he’s been all business.”

Deep Impact and Milligan’s School earned the final checks.

Southwind Frank returned $2.20 as the third consecutive Crown odds-on winner on the Woodbine program.