Glide and Ivory score

The rich got richer in tonight's Breeders Crown eliminations for 3-year-old trotting fillies as Passionate Glide and Pure Ivory romped to easy wins in their respective $25,000 assignments at Woodbine Racetrack.

Pure Ivory was the beneficiary of a tired leader and a breaking favorite to win her elimination in a time of 1:53.4 for driver Steve Condren and trainer Brad Maxwell.

Condren tracked Susies Magic and driver David Miller through wicked early fractions of :25.4 (which equaled the Woodbine track record for trotters), :54.3 and 1:23 (a new track record) before popping off the rail and mowing down the tired pacesetter in a final time of 1:53.4.

Susies Magic managed to hold for the runner-up spot while Bye Bye Kerry rallied to finish third. Also advancing to next week's final were Winning Sister (4th) and Quick Credit (5th).

Odds-on favorite Queen Serene made a break coming out of the final turn and finished sixth for trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer.

"I knew we were busting out of there pretty good," said co-owner-driver Steve Condren. "I just wanted to stay within reach throughout the mile. It looked like Dave (Miller) had some trouble with his filly (Susies Magic). She looked a little rank. I was actually surprised with how long she hung around. I didn't realize that Queen Serene had made a break. My filly was good going into the Breeders Crown last year, but she was a bit rambunctious last season. If she races that good this year, we'll be very happy."

Condren shares ownership on the career winner of $1.1-million with Jerry Vanboekel, Harry Rutherford and Christina Maxwell of Ontario.

Passionate Glide was perfect from start to finish in the second elimination for driver Ron Pierce, who guided the Jimmy Takter pupil to a 1:54.4 victory.

Pierce sat second to the quarter pole with Passionate Glide before moving her to the lead in the second quarter. After an opening station of :29.1, Pierce was able to back down the pace to a crawl as the field made its way past the half-mile marker in :59.4.

The tempo quickened in the third quarter as Passionate Glide accelerated to the third marker in 1:27.4 before kicking out a fantastic final quarter in 27 seconds for the 1:54.4 decision over runner-up Birminghim and third-place finisher Bee Line. Merles Pearl (4th) and Four Starz Lindy (5th) also earned berths to next week's final.

"I was trying to go as slow as I could tonight," said driver Ron Pierce. "It doesn't matter if she has the 10-hole or the 2-hole, she can win from anywhere. She came out of Lexington in great form. Jimmy (trainer Takter) said she came out of the Kentucky Filly Futurity in great shape.

With the victory, Passionate Glide is 13-for-14 this season and 17-for-25 in her career. The filly, who is owned and bred by Brittany Farms of Versailles, KY, boasts career earnings in excess of $1.7-million. (WEG)

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