Tamla Celeber S upsets in Open Mare Trot

Tamla Celeber S, with Brian Sears, stormed down the stretch to nail the defending champion, Frenchfrysnvinegar  on the line in the $250,000 (US) Mare Trot, the first of 12 Breeders Crown finals worth $6.2 million, Saturday night, October 27 at Woodbine.

The five-year-old daughter of Cantab Hall looked like she could finish no better than second when the field turned for home, as the odds-on 4-5 choice, Frenchfrysnvinegar, with Jody Jamieson, opened several lengths on her pursuers.

But Tamla Celeber S came charging from fifth, Frenchfrysnvinegar began to tire and at the wire, the 9-1 outsider had caught the pacesetting favourite by a half-length in 1:55.2 over a ‘good’ Woodbine surface.

Sears had picked up the drive on Tamla Celeber S, when driver Orjan Kihlstrom couldn’t make it to Woodbine.

"I didn’t really know what to expect, but they thought pretty highly of the (mare),” said Sears, who was celebrating his 23rd Crown final win.  "I was able to get her somewhat into the race from the 10-hole, I ended up third or fourth over, and she really responded. She’s a very nice filly.  There is some wind playing a little bit out there. When horses get used in the wind, they kind of know it. The trip worked out good and she fired home strong.”

Last week, Tamla Celeber S had finished an even fifth in her elim behind Beatsgoeson Hanover, her first outing at Woodbine, but improved dramatically for the final.  Based in Sweden, trainer Roger Walmaan had brought his mare to North America in September for a fall campaign which began with a workout at the Red Mile in Lexington, then stakes at Indiana Downs and Lexington before last week’s elim at Woodbine.

Tamla Celeber S returned $20.90, $11.70 and $8.10, combining with Frenchfrysnvinegar ($3.30, $2.80) for a $75.70 (10-8) exactor.  A 10-8-9 (Mystical Starlight, $8.20 to show) triactor was worth $918.10, while a $1 superfecta [10-8-9-5 (Pantholops)] came back a whopping $5,199.85. (Breeders Crown)

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