Breeders Crown: Antonacci doubles, What The Hill sets track record in 3-Year-Old Colt Trot elims

Trainer Frank Antonacci won with International Moni and Lindy The Great, and then Canadian Trotting Classic winner What The Hill went a track record 1:52 1/5 mile in the trio of $25,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Trot eliminations on Saturday night at Hoosier Park.

In the first elimination Top Flight Angel (Andy Miller), Dover Dan (Corey Callahan), and Rubio (Brian Sears) took turns on the lead through fractions of 27 3/5, 55 3/5, and 1:23 3/5, but International Moni (Scott Zeron) rolled into the lead from first-over in the lane and went on to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:52 4/5. Seven And Seven (David Miller) had trot through the lane and was up for second, and he was followed by Dover Dan. Top Flight Angel was fourth and wound up being the fourth-place finisher from the three eliminations to advance to the final by virtue of having the highest 2017 earnings.

"It was setting up great for me just sitting there in the five-hole, and I was able to come first-up like I wanted to," said Zeron. "Down the lane I asked my horse, never slowed him down from the second I moved him, and he never slowed down down the lane. We really do want to win. You want to make sure you control your own destiny having post one through five. I would have hated to head into the final having the trailing position with this horse the way he races, so it's crucial to get up and get those wins."

International Moni, a colt by Love You, is trained by Antonacci for owner/breeder Moni Maker Stable. The next-to-last foal out of the great Moni Maker, International Moni now has nine wins in his career, and he has now earned $539,942. International Moni was sent off as the 3-5 favorite, and he returned $3.40 to win.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Lindy The Great would give the Antonacci barn the double by winning the second elimination in 1:53. He was in the lead at the 27 3/5 opening quarter, the 56 second half, and the 1:23 3/5 half. Lindy The Great opened up 3 1/2 length bulge with that 27 3/5 third quarter, and he would cruise home the easiest of winners, beating a rallying New Jersey Viking (Ake Svanstedt) by 4 1/4 lengths. Giveitgasandgo (Callahan) just fought off Moonshiner Hanover (David Miller) to take third and make the final.

Lindy The Great is a Crazed colt trained by Antonacci for co-owner/breeder K R Breeding LLC. and co-owner Robert Rudolph. Lindy The Great now has a record of 5-2-1 from 14 career efforts, and he has pocketed $212,433. He paid $4.20 to win as the even-money favorite.

What The Hill then stole some of the headlines from the Antonacci duo by winning the final elimination in 1:52 1/5, a new track record for a 3-year-old colt trotter. David Miller had him in charge past the 28 second front quarter, the 56 4/5 half, and the 1:24 3/5 three-quarters, and a 27 3/5 final kicker slammed the door on a one and a quarter length decision over pocket-sitting Yes Mickey (Svanstedt). Guardian Angel As (Tetrick) finished third.

The victorious Muscle Hill colt is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., Our Horse Cents Stables, J And T Silva Stables LLC., and Deo Volente Farms LLC. He won for the tenth time in his racing career, and he has banked $810,712. Dispatched as the 6-5 choice, What The Hill returned $4.40 to win.

Here is how the group will line up for their $527,000 final next Saturday night:

1-Seven And Seven
2-Top Flight Angel
3-What The Hill
4-International Moni
5-Lindy The Great
6-New Jersey Viking
7-Guardian Angel As
8-Giveitgasandgo
9-Yes Mickey
10-Dover Dan
AE1-Moonshiner Hanover
AE2-Jake