In Focus upsets Deweycheatumnhowe in 1:53.4

For the second year in a row the country’s leading Standardbred has met defeat in the Breeders Crown, Last year it was Donato Hanover, this year it was Deweycheatumnhowe, who gave up his lead in the stretch as In Focus and Dave Palone swept into the lead and scored a 1:53.4 victory in the Breeders Crown $500,000 3-year-old colt and gelding trot. Holiday Credit and Ron Pierce also passed Dewey in the lane to be second.

Dewey, with co-owner and trainer Ray Schnittker in the bike, left alertly from post eight in the 11-horse field and was on top at the :27.4 quarter. In Focus settled second and Holiday Credit third.

Dewey opened up by three lengths down the backstretch, passing the half in :56.3. In Focus closed the gap as Dewey passed the three quarters in 1:25.4. Dewey maintained his lead into the stretch, but began to tire. He put up no resistance as In Focus drove right on by and scored his 11^th triumph in 17 starts for trainer Jimmy Takter (who also trains Holiday Credit) and owners Christina Takter,  and John and Jim Fielding.

“We discussed on the way up how to race him, cause he’s a little funny about his head stuff,” said Palone, who scored his first Breeders Crown victory.  “We thought we needed to be on the lead, but when Ray got to me so quick in the first turn, and he was relaxed, I thought that was the best thing to do was keep him in the two hole.”

The win gives the son of SJ’s Photo $615,968 in earning this year and $660,368 lifetime.

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