Elliott hoping for BC wins

You might call the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace Saturday at Woodbine a “Steve Elliott bookend race” as the trainer landed post one and 10 with his two entries Western Guy and Artistic Fella, respectively. It’s Artistic Fella, and Donato Hanover, the favorite in the Crown final for 2-year-old colt trotters, who could give Elliott a pair of divisional champions with wins on Saturday.

Western Guy, who has been in the Elliott barn for about a month now is listed as a 15-1 longshot from post one in the final for sophomore male pacers, while Artistic Fella, hoping for a victory that could secure divisional honors, drew the outside 10 post and has been installed a 10-1 outsider.

“It’s just a starting point,” answered Elliott when asked by harnessracing.com Wednesday morning about Artistic Fella’s poor luck at the post position draw. “(As for any strategy), that’s up to the driver (Cat Manzi); I don’t get involved with that.”

Artistic Fella has won 11 times this year, including the $1 million Meadowlands Pace, on his way to $941,558 in seasonal earnings for owner Joseph Alborano. Ten of those wins came at the Meadowlands, with his latest, on Oct. 15, being a track-record victory at Harrah’s Chester Downs. Supplemented to the Breeders Crown at a cost of $62,500, Artistic Fella finished fifth in his elimination to reach the $610,000 final.

Although Artistic Fella has posted outstanding numbers this year, Elliott believes a victory could be critical for the son of Pacific Fella in the campaign for year-end honors. Elliott believes the same is in store for Donato Hanover, whose seven wins in eight starts include the Peter Haughton Memorial.

“(Artistic Fella) needs to win it, that’s my opinion,” said Elliott when asked about possible Dan Patch Award honors. “Donato has to win his, and if he wins it he will lock it up. And if Artistic Fella wins it he should lock it up.”

As for Donato Hanover, Elliott was able to pick his post after the Andover Hall colt won his elimination. Elliott had to wait first as the connections of fellow elim winners Mythical Lindy and Laddie picked their starting spots, but he says he was thrilled that he still had the chance to take post four.

“My pick was going to be three, four or two, and I ended up with the last pick and still got the four, so it was good,” said Elliott.

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