Older Breeder Crowns: elim needed only for Mare Trot

The connections of Autumn Escapade and Lavec Dream have accepted byes for the Breeders Crown Older Mare Trot Aug. 22 at the Meadowlands, having been afforded that opportunity when those behind Classic Lane and Spice Queen, the two with the highest earnings, declined. Those two, along with eight others, will compete in a single elimination this Saturday at the Big M with the top eight advancing to the final. 

 

Nat Ray-winning trotter Lucky Jim and U.S. Pacing Championship winner Shadow Play have been entered for the upcoming Breeders Crowns for older horses at the Meadowlands, with each taking on just five rivals. The trotters will be off this weekend but five of the older horse pacers—except for Shadow Play—will take to the track in a prep race Saturday night: Art Official, Bettor Sweet, Mister Big, Shark Gesture and Won The West.

 

The Crown Older Mare Pace attracted a field of 10, six of which will participate in a prep race on Saturday: A And G’sconfusion, Darlin’s Delight, supplemental entry Dreamfair Eternal, Go On BB, Tidewaterdragonfly and Tug River Princess. The other older mares entered are Btwnyurheartnmine, Cuz She Can, Hana Hanover and Southwind Tempo.

 

As for the Crown Older Mare Trot, which was re-introduced in 2004 after not being contested since 1995, ironically Spice Queen and Classic Lane drew the outside two posts. Here is the elimination, in post position order: Lantern Kronos, Buck I St. Pat, Maid For Tag, Falls For You, Stage Show, Diana Hall, Up Front Hotsey, Morguns Sweetheart, Spice Queen and Classic Lane.

 

In the Crown Older Horse Trot, Lucky Jim, who has won 16 of his 17 starts this year and is currently ranked second on the Harness Racing Communications poll behind only Hambletonian winner Muscle Hill, will be faced with the challenges of Arch Madness, In Focus, John Paul’s Legacy, Lanson and Misterizi. If Lucky Jim is victorious, he will set a new Meadowlands record with his 14th consecutive win at the meet.