Breeders Crown: Ariana G pounces late to win freshman filly trotting Crown

Yannick Gingras drove Ariana G with complete confidence in the $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old filly trotters and the divisional leader did what she does best—win.

There was an abundance of movement from the start of the first of eight Breeders Crown races on the card. Cameron Hill was the first to the front but soon saw Treviso take charge after the quarter in 27 4/5. That was the cue for That’s All Moni to charge to the front at the half in 56 1/5.

The outer flow began to take shape as early leaver Sunshine Delight pulled first-over and towed Chezatter, the favored Ariana G and Princess Aurora into the race. Sunshine Delight applied serious pressure while uncovered by the 1:25 1/5 three quarter marker but looming behind was a clearly brimming with confidence Gingras with Ariana G.

As the field straightened away, Ariana G lengthened her stride and blew by the field with relative ease. Fellow Jimmy Takter stablemate Princess Aurora rallied nicely from almost last to be second ahead of the game Sunshine Delight.

“Last week she was really grabby and I believe I choked her,” said Gingras, referring to shutting off the filly’s air. “The credit goes to Jimmy. He made a lot of changes and it worked.”

Ariana G, who is owned by breeders Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, has now won nine of 11 career races and $773,967 in lifetime earnings. The daughter of Muscle Hill-Cantab It All is a full sister to All The Time, who won this Crown event last year as a 2-year-old.

“I’m just very excited,” said Katz. “To have Aurora (also owned and bred by Katz and Libfeld) come in second, it is just a testament to the people that we work with.”

“It’s a long year for her. This is her last for the year,” said Takter. “We decided, she’s been racing since May, it’s a long year. It’s a great way to finish the year for her.”

Ariana G, who paid $3.40 to win, basically sewed up divisional honors with the victory.