P Glide aims for B Crown

Passionate Glide’s nearly perfect $1 million season has not scared off her peers, as 11 other fillies opted to test the reigning queen of the division in her quest for a second Crown. Two $25,000 splits of six sophomore fillies will go postward on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Woodbine, to arrive at 10 contestants for the $500,000 final on Oct. 28.

Passionate Glide drew post five in the second elim, away from the only filly that has defeated her this year: Queen Serene. The pair traded wins in heats of the Kentucky Filly Futurity, but in the two-horse race-off, Passionate Glide made short work of the pacesetting Queen Serene, drawing off to a nonchalant 3 ½-length victory.

Trainer Jimmy Takter was not concerned about her only loss this year.

“They went world record time in that heat (1:52) and the other filly (Queen Serene) was very good that day. Passionate Glide was sitting fifth and had to go three wide to try to catch her. Queen Serene just got away from her.”

The race-off drew some controversy as driver Ron Pierce tucked his whip and light-heartedly waved goodbye to Queen Serene and driver Trond Smedshammer in the stretch. A reprimand from the judges resulted in a post-race apology from Pierce, but the much-anticipated meeting of the two top fillies will most likely be the Crown final.

“Passionate Glide is a good horse who makes everyone around her look great. She is an extremely nice filly and we’ve been able to keep her happy all season," continued Takter. “She came out of the Futurity three times better than she went in to it and right now is better than ever.”

In the first elim, Queen Serene will face off against Ontario star Pure Ivory, who has plowed through the regional competition with ease. Her slate of 10-3-0 in 16 starts has resulted in $675,363 in earnings for trainer Brad Maxwell. Pure Ivory finished third as the favorite in the 2005 Breeders Crown event, won by Passionate Glide.

In the second elimination, Passionate Glide will take on Buckette winner Bee Line and Quebec standout Merle’s Pearl, making her first start in Ontario since July. She will be driven by Trevor Ritchie.

The first five finishers from each elim will return for the final on Saturday, Oct. 28. Elimination winners may pick their post positions. (Breeders Crown)

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