Exhilarating Kick Off To 2022 Breeders Crown Finals
MILTON, October 28, 2022 – The four freshman finals of the 2022 Breeders Crown, worth $810,000 each, kicked off on a beautiful fall evening tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park and provided fans with a myriad of performances with local horse people earning their first Crown trophies, heavy favourites prevailing and a huge longshot hitting his target.
The two-year-old trotting colts kicked off the festivities and Gaines Hanover was victorious in 1:53.2 to give his driver, Louis-Philippe Roy, and his trainer, Richard Moreau, their first Breeders Crown wins in their celebrated careers. Montreal based Gestion Blais owns the son of Cantab Hall who was recording his fourth win in eight tries this year.
Another rookie bred by Hanover Shoe Farms grabbed the next rich final, for pacing fillies, as Sylvia Hanover gave Bob McClure a 1:51.1 ride to win. Hudson Standardbred of Hudson, Quebec own the Always B Miki daughter who has an incredible record of eight wins (seven straight) and a second in nine 2022 outings. The win also gave Shawn Steacy his first Breeders Crown trophy in his debut performance. His dad, Mark, has three Crowns to his credit.
Also recording her seventh straight win was Special Way who hauled down local favourite Righteous Resolve to win in a track and Canadian record of 1:52 in the trotting filly final. George Segal’s Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, all long time supporters and sponsors of the Breeders Crown, bred and own the winner, a daughter of Walner.
The two distaff winners paid $3 to win while the final Crown winner tonight, in the pacing colt category, paid his backers $106 for a two dollar ticket. Dave Miller earned his 30th Breeders Crown trophy with a great drive aboard Ammo who hit the wire first in 1:50.4. Owned by Val D’Or Farms and Ted Gewertz, the Sweet Lou son trained by Joe Holloway was notching his second win in just five career starts. The win gave Holloway his 10th Breeders Crown title.
The Crown excitement continues Saturday night at the Campbellville oval with the four three-year-old and Open finals slated for races two through nine. The handle for Friday’s card was $3,906,668.
Heather MacKay, for Woodbine Communications
For YouTube race replays, click here.
Grace Martin