Muscle Hill wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Trot
Muscle Hill wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Trot
October 24, 2009
On Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, harness racing's 2 and 3-year-old divisions competed in the Breeders Crown finals. Horses faced a headwind with gusts up to 30 MPH through the stretch and temperatures in the mid 40's, accompanied by intermittent drizzle and showers. The weather did not deter the crowd, who came out to witness superstar Muscle Hill's final career start.
Ten horses went to post in the $617,880 Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot, but Muscle Hill was the focus of attention, coming into the race off 19 straight victories including the Canadian Trotting Classic, the Hambletonian, and the World Trotting Derby. He was bet down to 1-20 in the win pool, with place and show pools cancelled. The second choice was 22-1 Swan For All, second in the Bluegrass last out, over 44-1 third choice Neighsay Hanover, who defeated Swan For All in the Bluegrass.
Muscle Hill sat in midpack fourth early and on the outside as Swan For All set the initial quarter mile in 28 3/5. Down the backstretch, Sears sent Muscle Hill to the front and he got there effortlessly through a half in 57 2/5 and 3/4 in 1:24 1/5. Through the stretch, Swan for All broke stride while trying to keep up with Muscle Hill, as the heavy favorite opened up a 4 length lead at the 1/8 pole. Triumphant Caviar rallied late to no avail, as Muscle Hill cruised under the line under wraps 2 1/2 lengths in front in 1:54 1/5.
It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to Swan For All, who was disqualified from 3rd to 6th for veering inside the pylons when he broke stride.
Results chart
Results charts for the entire evening
Muscle Hill in the winner's circle
This was win number 20 in a row for Muscle Hill, his only defeat being a second place finish in his career debut as a 2-year-old. It was announced that this was his final start before retiring to stud duty.
Winning trainer Greg Peck said, "I don't think he ever was (pushed in a race). The slowest he was going was at the wire tonight and it was only (the wind) that could slow him down. I'm humbled by the horse.
Now that it's all over, I will say he is the greatest trotter ever. I've never seen a horse that won so easily and looked like they were ready to go again."
Co-owner Jerry Silva said, "You're always nervous before a race. Brian knows Muscle Hill and Muscle Hill knows Brian. They're a great twosome. To finish the year undefeated is amazing. I never had a horse, in all my years of racing that was undefeated. And he did it. He did it like I knew he would do it."
Co-owner Tom Pontone added, "If you told me two years ago I'd be at the Breeders Crown 2 years in a row, I would have never guessed it. We were looking for him to be a good trotter. I believed he is the best trotter I've seen in 25 to 30 years. I can't wait to race one of his offspring. I would love to see him race five more years, but he did what he had to do and now it's time for him to go to stud."
If I Can Dream wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Pace
Closing out the Breeders Crown Series for 2009 was the $617,880 Three-Year-Old Colt Pace. North America Cup, Battle of Brandywine, and Little Brown Jug winner Well Said was the even money favorite in the 10 horse field, despite finishing 4th in the Tattersalls at the Red Mile in his last start. In to challenge him included 9-2 second choice Mr. Wiggles, runner-up in the Adios before finishing fourth in both the Battle of Brandywine and the Cane Pace, and 5-1 third choice If I Can Dream, second in the Jug behind Well Said before upsetting him in the Tattersalls.
Carnivore led around the clubhouse turn through 1/4 in 26 2/5 but If I Can Dream and driver Tim Tetrick cruised past him on the backstretch, opening up by 1 1/2 lengths through fractions of 54 seconds and 1:21 3/5. Well Said was parked throughout and as far back as 9th. Entering the stretch, If I Can Dream continued to lead with Mr. Wiggles giving chase 1 3/4 lengths behind. Mr. Wiggles steadily gained on If I Can Dream late but was left with too much ground to make up, as If I Can Dream easily held him off by 1/2 a length in 1:51 1/5. It was another 3/4 length back to Vertical Horizon third. Well Said failed to rally late, finishing a disappointing 5th beaten 2 1/2 lengths at the line.
Results chart
If I Can Dream in the winner's circle
Winning driver Tim Tetrick said, "The strategy was to go forward. If I could be in control, that was great. My horse's game is to try to make everyone tired if he can. He's done it 4 or 5 times this year and really done well. I just wanted to get to the front especially with the wind down the lane because it would be hard to pass. I was hoping I could go fractions like that where everybody couldn't out sprint him.
My horse is not a real big sprinter on the end of it but he's a gutsy colt."
Yellow Diamond wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Filly Pace
Kicking off the stakes action on Saturday was the $731,158 Three-Year-Old Filly Pace. Garnset Stakes winner Yellow Diamond was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 8 over 2-1 second choice Shacked Up, winner of the Simcoe, and 6-1 third choice Ginger and Fred, runner-up in the Jugette final. Driver Mark MacDonald sent Kabbalah Karen B to the front by driver Mark MacDonald getting the initial quarter in 27 1/5 but Yellow Diamond easily took over the lead on the backstretch through a half in 55 3/5 and 3/4 in 1:22 2/5 with Ginger and Fred stalking her 1 1/2 lengths behind.
Driver Jim Morrill Jr. asked Yellow Diamond to open up through the stretch and she extended her lead to 2 lengths at the 1/8 pole. Ginger and Fred put in a strong late rally but Yellow Diamond held her off late to get the win by a neck in 1:51 2/5. It was another 2 lengths back to Shanghai Lil third.
Results chart
Winning driver Jim Morrill Jr. said, "I was concerned because Ginger And Fred is a top filly. I knew she was going to give me a run for my money. I was just hoping my filly was 100%, and she was. She's just a great filly. To go as long as she's gone, as hard as she's gone all season and to put in an effort like that just shows how tough she really is. Tracy (Brainard, trainer) had her super tonight. It's just a pleasure to drive this caliber of horse."
Poof Shes Gone wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Trot
October 24, 2009
The $617,880 Two-Year-Old Filly Trot featured Champlain Stakes winner Poof She's Gone as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 10 over Peaceful Way winner Costa Rica at 7-2 and Pennsylvania Sires Stakes winner Fashion Feline at 4-1. Levis Lady and Ultimate Cameron battled for the lead around the clubhouse turn through fractions of 28 4/5 and 58 2/5, while being stalked by Costa Rica. Costa Rica took over on the backstretch and into the turn, getting 3/4 in 1:26 3/5.
Poof She's Gone raced in midpack fourth on the outside early, but gained on the leaders on the far turn. Poof She's Gone passed the tiring pacesetters at the top of the lane and opened up a 1 3/4 length lead at the 1/8 pole. Ultimate Cameron fought back but to no avail as Poof She's Gone finished 1 length in front in 1:56 3/5. It was another 1/2 length back to late-running Tequila Slammer third.
Results chart
Co-owner John Fielding said, "Definitely worth the $170,000 yearling price tag. She's been a fantastic filly since Nifty (trainer Richard Norman) took her home from the sale. It's been a fantastic year. Nifty, his wife and his daughter do a great job with her. She's been tough all year from the Merrie Annabelle in August to today. Great to see Nifty get his first Crown, he's a fantastic horseman."
Driver Dave Miller added, "Poof raced great. She went a big, big mile there. I had to come early and got left first over and she just overpowered them. Her best quality is she can do that.
She's a strong filly and she can rough it. She's the complete package."
Pilgrims Taj wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Colt Trot
In the $617,880 Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot, Valley Victory winner Lucky Chucky was the 9-10 favorite over 3-2 Pilgrims Taj, winner of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, and 9-1 Wishing Stone, winner of the Bluegrass last out. Magic Fruit went to the early lead through 1/4 in 28 1/5 before Temple of Doom took over through 1/2 in 57 4/5. John Campbell kept Lucky Chucky out wide early in fourth, then asked him for run on the far turn.
Lucky Chucky took over the lead at the top of the lane through 3/4 in 1:26 3/5, but Magic Fruit fought back to regain a 1/2 length advantage in mid stretch. However, Pilgrims Taj, wide back in 6th early, closed wish a rush down the center of the track to pass them both late to get the win by a length in 1:57 1/5. Lucky Chucky pulled in front of Magic Fruit late to get second by 1/4 length.
Results chart
Winning driver Mike Lachance said, "On the backstretch I couldn't keep up to (Lucky Chucky). He was trotting too fast for what I wanted to go with my horse. But I didn't care if I was on the outside on the last turn. My horse loves that. When you hit a horse like that, the horse hits you. We just got lucky to be involved with a horse like that."
Co-owner Robert Bongiorno added, "I groomed horses for nothing, trained horses for many years, owning horses is a thrill for me. It's just a great thrill for me tonight. I hope they don't have a video of it. We were crazy in the stands, we thought we had a good shot to win but the bias was against us, the wind blowing in the horse's faces.
Thank God he overcame it."
Fancy Filly wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Pace
The $628,178 Two-Year-Old Filly Pace saw a field of 9 with She's a Great Lady winner Put On A Show sent off as the 2-1 choice over 5-2 Higher and Higher, who finished behind her in the She's a Great Lady, and 3-1 Fancy Filly, winner of the Three Diamonds Stakes. Ticket to Rock was quickest away and opened up a 1 3/4 length advantage on the clubhouse turn through an opening 1/4 in 27 3/5, before relinquishing the lead to Put On A Show.
The favorite set fractions of 56 2/5 and 1:24 while as many as 2 1/4 lengths in front of Fancy Filly who stalked her in second. With a furlong to go, Put On A Show continued to lead by 2 lengths but Fancy Filly passed her late to win by 1 length in 1:53 4/5. It was 3 lengths back to Ticket to Rock third.
Results chart
Winning driver Brian Sears said, "The filly has got a lot of fight in her. (Put On A Show) paced away from her a little bit, but she never knows to quit. She dug right in and chased her down. I was really happy to win with her because I got a bad trip when I finished third with her in the She's A Great Lady. I was glad to make up for it."
Trainer and co-owner George Teague Jr. added, "A Breeders Crown is always nice to get. She started the season well and this puts a polish on the season. She'll get time off now and we'll bring her back for next season. She doesn't seem any worse for wear. She seems as fresh as the day we started. She loves what she's doing. That's one of the qualities only in the great ones.
They love to do what they do and she can race any way. She doesn't have to take her racetrack with her."
A full field of 10 lined up at the start of the $617,880 Three-Year-Old Filly Trot. Margarita Momma was the 6-5 favorite off her Bluegrass win, over Simcoe winner Elusive Desire at 2-1 and Moni Maker runner-up Broadway Schooner at 5-1. Seaside was quickest away through an initial quarter in 28 1/5 before Yursa Hanover moved to the front for the backstretch trip through fractions of 57 1/5 and 1:26.
Elusive Desire stalked her in second a length back. Yursa Hanover tired in mid-stretch while Broadway Schooner, 7th for the first 3/4 mile, closed with a rush to win by 3/4 length over Elusive Desire in 1:57. It was just a neck back to Seaside third, and 1 1/4 lengths more to favorite Margarita Momma fourth.
Results chart
Winning driver Brian Sears said, "The trip worked out good. They were battling it out and my filly, she's kind of like a one-speeder, but it's a long stretch and we were able to get by them. I'm really happy to do some more good for Arlene and Jules (Siegel); they're great owners and have a lot of passion for the business."
The $720,860 Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace featured the undefeated Sportswriter, winner of the Metro Pace, as the 3-5 favorite over 2-1 Bluegrass winner All Speed Hanover and 8-1 ISS Stakes winner Rockin Image. Sportswriter was sent to the front first time past the stands and he set a pace of 27 4/5, 55 4/5, and 1:23 3/5 while being stalked by OK Commander a 1/4 length behind and to his outside the whole way.
Entering the stretch, Ron Pierce sent All Speed Hanover to the far outside after racing well back in 6th early. All Speed Hanover hooked Sportswriter at the 3/16 pole setting up a furious duel to the line. All Speed Hanover dug in late to get the hard-fought win by a head in 1:52. It was a long 4 3/4 lengths back to Kyle Major third.
Results chart
Winning co-owner Adam Victor Jr. said, "We don't have enough stretch drives like that between 2 champions. And those were 2 champions tonight." Co-owner John Fielding added, It was just unbelievable. You can't take anything away from Sportswriter. He was huge tonight. What a great 3-year-old year it will be for both of those if they face off against each other. That was just a great race tonight. Fantastic."
October 24, 2009
On Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, harness racing's 2 and 3-year-old divisions competed in the Breeders Crown finals. Horses faced a headwind with gusts up to 30 MPH through the stretch and temperatures in the mid 40's, accompanied by intermittent drizzle and showers. The weather did not deter the crowd, who came out to witness superstar Muscle Hill's final career start.
Ten horses went to post in the $617,880 Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot, but Muscle Hill was the focus of attention, coming into the race off 19 straight victories including the Canadian Trotting Classic, the Hambletonian, and the World Trotting Derby. He was bet down to 1-20 in the win pool, with place and show pools cancelled. The second choice was 22-1 Swan For All, second in the Bluegrass last out, over 44-1 third choice Neighsay Hanover, who defeated Swan For All in the Bluegrass.
Muscle Hill sat in midpack fourth early and on the outside as Swan For All set the initial quarter mile in 28 3/5. Down the backstretch, Sears sent Muscle Hill to the front and he got there effortlessly through a half in 57 2/5 and 3/4 in 1:24 1/5. Through the stretch, Swan for All broke stride while trying to keep up with Muscle Hill, as the heavy favorite opened up a 4 length lead at the 1/8 pole. Triumphant Caviar rallied late to no avail, as Muscle Hill cruised under the line under wraps 2 1/2 lengths in front in 1:54 1/5.
It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to Swan For All, who was disqualified from 3rd to 6th for veering inside the pylons when he broke stride.
Results chart
Results charts for the entire evening
Muscle Hill in the winner's circle
This was win number 20 in a row for Muscle Hill, his only defeat being a second place finish in his career debut as a 2-year-old. It was announced that this was his final start before retiring to stud duty.
Winning trainer Greg Peck said, "I don't think he ever was (pushed in a race). The slowest he was going was at the wire tonight and it was only (the wind) that could slow him down. I'm humbled by the horse.
Now that it's all over, I will say he is the greatest trotter ever. I've never seen a horse that won so easily and looked like they were ready to go again."
Co-owner Jerry Silva said, "You're always nervous before a race. Brian knows Muscle Hill and Muscle Hill knows Brian. They're a great twosome. To finish the year undefeated is amazing. I never had a horse, in all my years of racing that was undefeated. And he did it. He did it like I knew he would do it."
Co-owner Tom Pontone added, "If you told me two years ago I'd be at the Breeders Crown 2 years in a row, I would have never guessed it. We were looking for him to be a good trotter. I believed he is the best trotter I've seen in 25 to 30 years. I can't wait to race one of his offspring. I would love to see him race five more years, but he did what he had to do and now it's time for him to go to stud."
If I Can Dream wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Pace
Closing out the Breeders Crown Series for 2009 was the $617,880 Three-Year-Old Colt Pace. North America Cup, Battle of Brandywine, and Little Brown Jug winner Well Said was the even money favorite in the 10 horse field, despite finishing 4th in the Tattersalls at the Red Mile in his last start. In to challenge him included 9-2 second choice Mr. Wiggles, runner-up in the Adios before finishing fourth in both the Battle of Brandywine and the Cane Pace, and 5-1 third choice If I Can Dream, second in the Jug behind Well Said before upsetting him in the Tattersalls.
Carnivore led around the clubhouse turn through 1/4 in 26 2/5 but If I Can Dream and driver Tim Tetrick cruised past him on the backstretch, opening up by 1 1/2 lengths through fractions of 54 seconds and 1:21 3/5. Well Said was parked throughout and as far back as 9th. Entering the stretch, If I Can Dream continued to lead with Mr. Wiggles giving chase 1 3/4 lengths behind. Mr. Wiggles steadily gained on If I Can Dream late but was left with too much ground to make up, as If I Can Dream easily held him off by 1/2 a length in 1:51 1/5. It was another 3/4 length back to Vertical Horizon third. Well Said failed to rally late, finishing a disappointing 5th beaten 2 1/2 lengths at the line.
Results chart
If I Can Dream in the winner's circle
Winning driver Tim Tetrick said, "The strategy was to go forward. If I could be in control, that was great. My horse's game is to try to make everyone tired if he can. He's done it 4 or 5 times this year and really done well. I just wanted to get to the front especially with the wind down the lane because it would be hard to pass. I was hoping I could go fractions like that where everybody couldn't out sprint him.
My horse is not a real big sprinter on the end of it but he's a gutsy colt."
Yellow Diamond wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Filly Pace
Kicking off the stakes action on Saturday was the $731,158 Three-Year-Old Filly Pace. Garnset Stakes winner Yellow Diamond was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 8 over 2-1 second choice Shacked Up, winner of the Simcoe, and 6-1 third choice Ginger and Fred, runner-up in the Jugette final. Driver Mark MacDonald sent Kabbalah Karen B to the front by driver Mark MacDonald getting the initial quarter in 27 1/5 but Yellow Diamond easily took over the lead on the backstretch through a half in 55 3/5 and 3/4 in 1:22 2/5 with Ginger and Fred stalking her 1 1/2 lengths behind.
Driver Jim Morrill Jr. asked Yellow Diamond to open up through the stretch and she extended her lead to 2 lengths at the 1/8 pole. Ginger and Fred put in a strong late rally but Yellow Diamond held her off late to get the win by a neck in 1:51 2/5. It was another 2 lengths back to Shanghai Lil third.
Results chart
Winning driver Jim Morrill Jr. said, "I was concerned because Ginger And Fred is a top filly. I knew she was going to give me a run for my money. I was just hoping my filly was 100%, and she was. She's just a great filly. To go as long as she's gone, as hard as she's gone all season and to put in an effort like that just shows how tough she really is. Tracy (Brainard, trainer) had her super tonight. It's just a pleasure to drive this caliber of horse."
Poof Shes Gone wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Trot
October 24, 2009
The $617,880 Two-Year-Old Filly Trot featured Champlain Stakes winner Poof She's Gone as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 10 over Peaceful Way winner Costa Rica at 7-2 and Pennsylvania Sires Stakes winner Fashion Feline at 4-1. Levis Lady and Ultimate Cameron battled for the lead around the clubhouse turn through fractions of 28 4/5 and 58 2/5, while being stalked by Costa Rica. Costa Rica took over on the backstretch and into the turn, getting 3/4 in 1:26 3/5.
Poof She's Gone raced in midpack fourth on the outside early, but gained on the leaders on the far turn. Poof She's Gone passed the tiring pacesetters at the top of the lane and opened up a 1 3/4 length lead at the 1/8 pole. Ultimate Cameron fought back but to no avail as Poof She's Gone finished 1 length in front in 1:56 3/5. It was another 1/2 length back to late-running Tequila Slammer third.
Results chart
Co-owner John Fielding said, "Definitely worth the $170,000 yearling price tag. She's been a fantastic filly since Nifty (trainer Richard Norman) took her home from the sale. It's been a fantastic year. Nifty, his wife and his daughter do a great job with her. She's been tough all year from the Merrie Annabelle in August to today. Great to see Nifty get his first Crown, he's a fantastic horseman."
Driver Dave Miller added, "Poof raced great. She went a big, big mile there. I had to come early and got left first over and she just overpowered them. Her best quality is she can do that.
She's a strong filly and she can rough it. She's the complete package."
Pilgrims Taj wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Colt Trot
In the $617,880 Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot, Valley Victory winner Lucky Chucky was the 9-10 favorite over 3-2 Pilgrims Taj, winner of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, and 9-1 Wishing Stone, winner of the Bluegrass last out. Magic Fruit went to the early lead through 1/4 in 28 1/5 before Temple of Doom took over through 1/2 in 57 4/5. John Campbell kept Lucky Chucky out wide early in fourth, then asked him for run on the far turn.
Lucky Chucky took over the lead at the top of the lane through 3/4 in 1:26 3/5, but Magic Fruit fought back to regain a 1/2 length advantage in mid stretch. However, Pilgrims Taj, wide back in 6th early, closed wish a rush down the center of the track to pass them both late to get the win by a length in 1:57 1/5. Lucky Chucky pulled in front of Magic Fruit late to get second by 1/4 length.
Results chart
Winning driver Mike Lachance said, "On the backstretch I couldn't keep up to (Lucky Chucky). He was trotting too fast for what I wanted to go with my horse. But I didn't care if I was on the outside on the last turn. My horse loves that. When you hit a horse like that, the horse hits you. We just got lucky to be involved with a horse like that."
Co-owner Robert Bongiorno added, "I groomed horses for nothing, trained horses for many years, owning horses is a thrill for me. It's just a great thrill for me tonight. I hope they don't have a video of it. We were crazy in the stands, we thought we had a good shot to win but the bias was against us, the wind blowing in the horse's faces.
Thank God he overcame it."
Fancy Filly wins the 2009 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Pace
The $628,178 Two-Year-Old Filly Pace saw a field of 9 with She's a Great Lady winner Put On A Show sent off as the 2-1 choice over 5-2 Higher and Higher, who finished behind her in the She's a Great Lady, and 3-1 Fancy Filly, winner of the Three Diamonds Stakes. Ticket to Rock was quickest away and opened up a 1 3/4 length advantage on the clubhouse turn through an opening 1/4 in 27 3/5, before relinquishing the lead to Put On A Show.
The favorite set fractions of 56 2/5 and 1:24 while as many as 2 1/4 lengths in front of Fancy Filly who stalked her in second. With a furlong to go, Put On A Show continued to lead by 2 lengths but Fancy Filly passed her late to win by 1 length in 1:53 4/5. It was 3 lengths back to Ticket to Rock third.
Results chart
Winning driver Brian Sears said, "The filly has got a lot of fight in her. (Put On A Show) paced away from her a little bit, but she never knows to quit. She dug right in and chased her down. I was really happy to win with her because I got a bad trip when I finished third with her in the She's A Great Lady. I was glad to make up for it."
Trainer and co-owner George Teague Jr. added, "A Breeders Crown is always nice to get. She started the season well and this puts a polish on the season. She'll get time off now and we'll bring her back for next season. She doesn't seem any worse for wear. She seems as fresh as the day we started. She loves what she's doing. That's one of the qualities only in the great ones.
They love to do what they do and she can race any way. She doesn't have to take her racetrack with her."
A full field of 10 lined up at the start of the $617,880 Three-Year-Old Filly Trot. Margarita Momma was the 6-5 favorite off her Bluegrass win, over Simcoe winner Elusive Desire at 2-1 and Moni Maker runner-up Broadway Schooner at 5-1. Seaside was quickest away through an initial quarter in 28 1/5 before Yursa Hanover moved to the front for the backstretch trip through fractions of 57 1/5 and 1:26.
Elusive Desire stalked her in second a length back. Yursa Hanover tired in mid-stretch while Broadway Schooner, 7th for the first 3/4 mile, closed with a rush to win by 3/4 length over Elusive Desire in 1:57. It was just a neck back to Seaside third, and 1 1/4 lengths more to favorite Margarita Momma fourth.
Results chart
Winning driver Brian Sears said, "The trip worked out good. They were battling it out and my filly, she's kind of like a one-speeder, but it's a long stretch and we were able to get by them. I'm really happy to do some more good for Arlene and Jules (Siegel); they're great owners and have a lot of passion for the business."
The $720,860 Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace featured the undefeated Sportswriter, winner of the Metro Pace, as the 3-5 favorite over 2-1 Bluegrass winner All Speed Hanover and 8-1 ISS Stakes winner Rockin Image. Sportswriter was sent to the front first time past the stands and he set a pace of 27 4/5, 55 4/5, and 1:23 3/5 while being stalked by OK Commander a 1/4 length behind and to his outside the whole way.
Entering the stretch, Ron Pierce sent All Speed Hanover to the far outside after racing well back in 6th early. All Speed Hanover hooked Sportswriter at the 3/16 pole setting up a furious duel to the line. All Speed Hanover dug in late to get the hard-fought win by a head in 1:52. It was a long 4 3/4 lengths back to Kyle Major third.
Results chart
Winning co-owner Adam Victor Jr. said, "We don't have enough stretch drives like that between 2 champions. And those were 2 champions tonight." Co-owner John Fielding added, It was just unbelievable. You can't take anything away from Sportswriter. He was huge tonight. What a great 3-year-old year it will be for both of those if they face off against each other. That was just a great race tonight. Fantastic."