by Moira Fanning, publicity director, The Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — With divisional honors up for grabs in the older trotting division, 12 of North America’s veterans entered the Breeders Crown final to be raced Aug. 30 at Mohawk Racetrack.

A single elimination of ten horses will jockey for the remaining eight spots on the starting gate, as two entrants opted to advance directly to the final. When less than 14 but more than 11 horses are entered, byes are offered to the top seasonal money-winners, but the connections of Corleone Kosmos, the richest in the field at $379,384 this year, wanted to race this week. Trainer Trond Smedshammer took the bye for his pupil Arch Madness and the next in line to actually accept a bye was the Rene Laarman-trained Knight Of Intrigue.

The ten elimination contestants include the aforementioned Corleone Kosmos, who was denied a Crown at Mohawk last year when he slipped into a gallop just at the wire, leaving runner-up Equinox Bi to be placed first as the Crown winner. Also entered was the popular 2005 Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo, who sewed up divisional honors last year, despite a third-place finish in this Crown event.

The Breeders Crown Trot is one of four $1.8 million Breeders Crown events to be raced on a stakes-laden 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. Arch Madness (bye) and Knight Of Intrigue (bye) will participate in the open draw. The elimination field is listed below.

August 23-Race 5-$40,500 Breeders Crown Trot elimination
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-Corleone Kosmos-John Campbell-Darren McCall
2-Green Day-Andy Miller-Jim Raymer
3-Digital Image-Ron Pierce-Geoff Maltby
4-Armbro Chronicle-Mike Saftic-Kent Baker
5-Man About Town-Luc Ouellette-Mark Silva
6-Enough Talk-Ron Pierce-Peter Kleinhans
7-Up Front Ben-Tim Tetrick-Kelly O’Donnell
8-Vivid Photo-Roger Hammer-Roger Hammer
9-Armbro Continental-Trevor Ritchie-Stephen Bossence
10-Lanson-David Miller-Don Swick