news room
Catch the USA Breeders Crown action this Sunday
Michael Taranto is living the dream through his star filly Mistery Woman.
Global focus will be on the $6.1 million North American Breeders Crown Championship program from Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto this weekend.
Harness fans from around the world will take particular interest in the monster card which features the best of the best in all age brackets and categories.
It is the third straight year where ‘downunder’ fans have been able to view and wager on one of the signature events in the world of harness racing with selected SKY Channel coverage coupled with all major TAB operators also allowing punters to bet on the star studded program.
Australian, New Zealand, French, Italian and Swedish fans have shown a distinct liking for betting on this special race day and that trend is expected to continue again this year.
The twelve race card features an Open Age Mare Trot Final, 2yo Fillies Pace Final, Open Age Trot Final, 3yo Fillies Pace Final, 2yo Fillies Trot Final, 3yo Fillies Trot Final, 2yo Colt Pace Final, 2yo Colt Trot Final, 3yo Colt Pace Final, Open Mares Pace Final, 3yo Colt Trot Final while the last race programmed is the Open Age Pace Final.
Downunder fans have added incentive this year with leading Australian based owners Michael Taranto and Neven Botica both qualifying finalists in the rich finals.
Taranto, is represented by Mistery Woman in the $US600,000 2yo Fillies Trot Final while Botica races Beatgoeson Hanover in the $US250,000 Open Age Mares Trot Final.
Taranto is the principal of Victorian based company Seelite Windows & Doors, a major sponsor of trotting features in the southern hemisphere.
Mistery Woman, a daughter of former world champion Donato Hanover is trained by Jonas Czernyson and is the winner of three of her four lifetime starts including a feature race victory at The Red Mile, Lexington at her most recent start on October 4.
The 2yo filly boasts a very strong Breeders Crown pedigree and was purchased from the Lexington Select Sale at a cost of $US102,000. Her second dam was 1997 Breeders Crown winner My Dolly while her family also includes 2003 Breeders Crown winner Forever Starlet.
David Miller, will once again take the drive on the promising filly.
The early morning line favourite for the 2yo Fillies Trot Final is the Jimmy Takter trained To Dream On while Bee A Magician is also strongly fancied.
Beatgoeson Hanover progressed to her final courtesy of an easy two length romp last weekend in a $US40,000 Breeders Crown elimination in a time of 1;54.
The Andover Hall – Beat The Wheel mare is trained by New Zealand born horseman Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman and will be handled again by champion reinsman Brian Sears.
The $US40,000 yearling purchase is the winner of 19 lifetime starts while her earnings are rapidly approaching $1 million.
Botica is no stranger to a freakish trotting talent having previously raced champion trotters Sundons Gift and Take A Moment.
Based in West Australia, Botica was planning on bringing another of his North American based trotters ‘downunder’ next year for the inaugural running of the Great Southern Star but unfortunately Imperial Count went amiss.
The impressive Frenchfrysnvinegar and Cedar Dove are considered the toughest to best in the Open Age Mares Trot Final.
Cedar Dove is trained by former Queenslander Noel Daley, no stranger himself to Breeders Crown glory.
The $US600,000 2yo Fillies Pace Final is headed up by I Luv The Nitelife and the regally bred Somwherovrarainbow while L Dees Lioness and Parlee Beach will also attract support.
The $US600,000 Open Trot Final has Chapter Seven for star reinsman Tim Tetrick listed as the early morning elect while the champion European Commander Crowe will also gain plenty of interest.
Tetrick will again be fancied in the following race, the $US500,000 3yo Fillies Pace Final with his drive American Jewel listed as favourite just over her stablemate Romantic Moment.
Both fillies are prepared by Jimmy Takter and both are daughters of emerging stud American Ideal.
In the $US500,000 3yo Fillies Trot Final, the dominant filly Check Me Out is expected to add to her impressive resume for Hambletonian winning trainer Ray Schnittker.
Again, Tetrick will take the lines behind the daughter of Donato Hanover who is chasing her 26th victory at start number 31.
The shortest priced on the program will be the ultra-impressive Captaintreacherous who is aiming for his 9th victory at start number 10 for trainer Tony Alagna and regular driver Tim Tetrick.
The Somebeachsomewhere colt has been a standout all season long.
Very little separates Wheeling N Dealin and Dontyouforgetit in the $US600,000 2yo Trot Final, both colts are by Cantab Hall and have been excellent during their rookie terms.
The most open final appears to be the $US500,000 3yo Pacing Colt Final with several given key chances including defending champion Sweet Lou while support for Bettors Edge, Heston Blue Chip, Panther Hanover, Mel Mara, Thinking Out Loud and Michaels Power will also be strong.
In the $US331,500 Open Age Mares Final, punters are likely to focus on Drop The Ball, Rebeka Bayama and Anndrovette.
All three mares have raced in consistent form this season.
The $US555,000 3yo Colt Trot Final shapes as an exciting contest with Market Share, Little Brown Fox and Intimidate all vying for favouritism.
Market Share scored a memorable victory earlier this season when successful in the Hambletonian Final at The Meadowlands, the success enabled trainer Linda Toscano to become the first female trainer to land trotting’s top event.
The $US500,000 Open Pace Final ends the program and the rugged Bettor Sweet is fancied over Foiled Again while brilliant mare Put On A Show is hoping to beat the boys.
The Chris Ryder trainee is the first female pacer in the history of the championships, which began in 1984, to take on the boys.
AUSSIE INTEREST; BEATGOESON HANOVER & MISTERY WOMAN
DRIVERS TO FOLLOW; TIM TETRICK & YANNICK GINGRAS
TRAINERS TO WATCH; JIMMY TAKTER, TONY ALAGNA & LINDA TOSCANO
BEST BET; RACE 7 NO.3 CAPTAINTREACHEROUS
