Breeders Crown: Bythemissal scores in Open Pace final

In perhaps one of the most contentious races in the dozen Breeders Crowns in 2023, Bythemissal and driver Yannick Gingras were able to pass favored Tattoo Artist and capture the $600,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace on Saturday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park in a 1:48 mile over a track rated "sloppy."

From the outset, Bythemissal and Tattoo Artist were locked in a duel for the front-end, with Gingras keeping Tattoo Artist and driver Louis Roy parked three-wide for much of the first turn. Tattoo Artist needed nearly a half-mile to gain control and that was cut in 53 2/5 to accomplish.

Lou's Pearlman and Tim Tetrick rambled without cover to challenge the leader on the far turn, with Allywag Hanover in tow second-over, but they would not reach the leader until the homestretch.

Gingras tipped Bythemissal, a son of Downbytheseaside-Dismissal, out to take on Tattoo Artist in mid-stretch, and they steadily were able to go by a determined favorite. Lou's Pearlman, after taking much air, was still fighting to the wire, and at odds of 45-1 got up for second, giving trainer Ron Burke a one-two finish in the contest. Tattoo Artist held third, with Allywag Hanover and Abuckabett Hanover rounding out the top five finishers.

The margin of victory was 1 1/2 lengths.

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Bred by Stephen Dey III, Bythemissal was a winner for the 10th time in 14 starts this year for owners Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Weaver Bruscemi. The victory snapped a seven-race win streak for Tattoo Artist. Sent off as the 9-5 second choice in the field, Bythemissal returned $5.80 to win.

"That's how your supposed to race," said Burke following the victory, giving credit to his driver to forcing the action. "Nobody gives an inch."

"There was a lot of pushing on the first turn," said Gingras. "I wanted to follow Tattoo Artist and thankfully we were able to do it."

Burke won two trophies on Breeders Crown weekend, giving him 20 in his career. He is No. 2 among trainers in the history of the event, trailing only Jimmy Takter's record 34. Gingras also won two Crowns, upping his lifetime total to 26, sixth most among drivers in history.