Breeders Crown: Another Bulldog Hanover blowout in Open Pace final

Bulldog Hanover put on quite the show at Woodbine Mohawk Park, capping this year's 12-race Breeders Crown series with a performance for the ages. The 4-year-old world champion drew off from his rivals in the homestretch for driver Dexter Dunn to a track-record equaling 1:46 4/5 performance in the $600,000 Open Pace on a cold night, securing his division and most likely sealing a Horse of the Year title with the win.

Dunn was his cagey self, leaving the gate with Bulldog Hanover but letting others do the work early. Tattoo Artist and James MacDonald sprinted hard past American Courage to take command into the first turn as second choice Allywag Hanover and Todd McCarthy positioned themselves inside Dunn and Bulldog Hanover to advance through the first turn. It was Allywag Hanover that need to earn the front past a 26 second flat opening quarter as Dunn waited his turn on the backstretch.

Bulldog Hanover appeared to be strung out some before reaching the lead through a 53 1/5 opening half, but any thought that the Jack Darling-trained horse would tire quickly disappeared as Dunn put the pedal down and allowed Bulldog Hanover to do his thing, sprinting a third quarter in 27 2/5 and gaining separation from Allywag Hanover in the process.

Unlike the last time those two dueled at The Red Mile, on Breeders Crown night there was no fight left in Allywag Hanover in the homestretch, but plenty of energy left in Bulldog Hanover as he paced an astonishing :26 1/5 final quarter, earning his 13th victory of the year in just 15 starts for co-owners Darling and Brad Grant.Tattoo Artist came on late to finish second, with Allywag Hanover settling for third. Abuckabett Hanover was a distant fourth, with American Courage the final check-getter.

Sent off as the 1-5 betting choice, Bulldog Hanover paid $2.40 as the overwhelming choice.

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"He's got two races left," said Darling. He'll race on November 10 at Rosecroft and then the last week of the month at the Meadowlands."

For Darling the victory was a relief. "The pressure this week was excruciating. I wanted him to do it for the fans," he said.

"He felt great throughout," said Dunn following the win, his fourth Crown victory of the night. “I felt him (Allywag Hanover) on my back, but my horse was full of run. He's an amazing horse."