Chapter Seven grinds out 1:52.3 Open Trot win

Nothing worthwhile should come easy, and it didn’t for Chapter Seven who despite being parked from the start, gamely wore down international star Commander Crowe to capture the $600,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot at Woodbine Saturday evening, October 27.

The race developed much as expected with Mister Herbie, Commander Crowe and Chapter Seven all leaving sharply for early position. Elitlopp winner Commander Crowe and driver Cristophe Martens showed their hand early gaining the front from Mister Herbie before the first turn. Chapter Seven and Tim Tetrick found out quickly that Martens had no intention of yielding the lead, at least in the early stages.

Tetrick took his medicine kindly keeping his horse interested on the outside while Commander Crowe marched to intense fractions of :27 2/5 and :55 4/5. During the battle Tetrick sat chilly while Martens continually went to the whip to urge his nine-year-old gelding on.

Despite the "good” surface the fractions remained strong on the far turn with Commander Crowe hitting the three quarters in 1:24 3/5 with Chapter Seven on his flank. Third-choice Mister Herbie was in the pocket without room while Arch Madness was second over struggling to keep with his cover.

In the homestretch Chapter Seven was still trotting and by midstretch he appeared to be wearing down the foreign-invader Commander Crowe.

Mister Herbie was able to squeeze in tight quarters between horses but his momentum was too late to get near Chapter Seven settling for second with a tired Commander Crowe finishing third.

The 1:52 3/5 effort was most impressive given the tiring nature of the racing surface.

Trainer Linda Toscano was jubilant in the winner’s circle following Chapter Seven’s second consecutive Breeders Crown title. "I can’t dream this big,” she said. "Without question he’s the best horse I’ve ever had. The trainer continued. "I didn’t know that he could do that (race parked the mile) but as long as he has a target he wants to go past.”

The victory for Chapter Seven was his seventh of the year in nine starts and elevated his four-year-old earnings to $927,700. Richard Gutnick, Southwind Farm and Jerry and Theresa Silva own Chapter Seven. Chapter Seven was bred by Richard Banca.

The victory was worth $3.50 to win on a $2 wager with the exacta with Mister Herbie for second paying $8. (Breeders Crown)

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