Breeders Crown: Delaney Hanover, Yo Tillie dazzle in 3YO Filly Trot elims

Delaney Hanover picked up where she left off a few weeks ago in Lexington, capturing the first of two C$34,250 Breeders Crown eliminations for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night. The Kentucky Filly Futurity champion rallied strongly from well off-the-pace to corral Stash Some Cash in the shadow of the wire, and in the process established a track record with the 1:51 flat performance.

Driver Scott Zeron took Delaney Hanover from off-the-pace as Walspea, the 9-5 second choice with Doug McNair, blasted to the front, seating Deja Blu before the first turn had been entered. Walspea took the field to the quarter in 27 2/5 but shortly thereafter Dexter Dunn pulled Stash Some Cash and made a brisk move to clear the front before the 55 1/5 half had been reached.

The outer flow began to take shape about five-eighths into the mile, but Lasting Dream wasn't making up much ground as she towed Monalishi and Delaney Hanover in second- and third-over positions, respectively. The lack of flow had something to do with the pace being set by Stash Some Cash, who flashed a 27 1/5 third quarter to try and bottom out the field.

Walspea pulled to challenge but didn't put a dent in the leader's margin, while Zeron with Delaney Hanover started gaining momentum in mid-stretch and simply flew by the field in the final sixteenth of a mile. Stash Some Cash held on to second with Walspea third. Also advancing to next Saturday's final (October 25) were Monalishi and Lasting Dream.

Lucas Wallin trains Delaney Hanover for owners Wiesman Farms LLC., Shermay Stables and Wallin Stables. As the 4-5 favorite Delaney Hanover paid $3.60 to win.

"She's unbelievable. I'm so blessed to have her," said co-owner Andrew Steinberg (Shermay Stables) following the victory.

Delaney Hanover is a Muscle Hill-sired filly from the Cantab Hall-sired dam Danielle Hanover and was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

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Yo Tillie bounced back from her first defeat of the season with a powerhouse performance, capturing the second Crown elimination in this division for Todd McCarthy. The Tactical Landing-sired lass scored in 1:51 1/5, notching her 10th win in 11 starts this year in the process.

Yo Tillie left the gate but was looped instantly by Royal Mission, with Doug McNair securing the early lead from supplemental entry Stormont Beautiful. McCarthy placed Yo Tillie in third along the pylons and moved shortly past the 26 4/5 first quarter had been passed. Yo Tillie gained control in short order as McNair slowed the pace with Royal Mission, looking for pocket position. Yo Tillie hit the half in 56 seconds and picked up the pace into the lower turn as Champagne Problems moved without cover, followed by Highlandstarburst and R Dutchess in the outer flow.

Yo Tillie marched away from the field following a 1:23 3/5 three-quarters and sprinted off, finishing out her mile with a 27 3/5 final quarter. Stormont Beautiful came out in the stretch to gain the place spot with Royal Mission third. Miss Belmar came through inside for fourth with R Dutchess fifth and reaching the final.

Trained by Andrew Harris, Yo Tilllie is owned by Harris in partnership with William Pollack and Bruce Areman. As the 3-10 favorite, Yo Tillie returned $2.60 to win.

“When I asked her, she shifted gears,” said McCarthy following the win.

Yo Tillie is out of the Triumphant Caviar-sired mare Consolidator and was bred by GBW Breeding Farms and Black Creek Farm.

The post position draw for the final was held following the eliminations, and the field from the rail out will be: Stash Some Cash, Delaney Hanover, Lasting Dream, Yo Tillie, Monalishi, R Dutchess, Walspea, Stormont Beautiful, Royal Mission and Miss Belmar.