Breeders Crown: Dorsoduro Hanover romps in 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace final

The $530,000 Breeders Crown for sophomore male pacers looked like a wide-opened affair heading into it, but driver Matt Kakaley and Dorsoduro Hanover changed that dynamic by race end with a dominating performance that will most certainly resonate in the year-end balloting.

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite from the pole position, Dorsoduro Hanover, a gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere, watched as This Is The Plan and American History dueled through a 26 1/5 opening quarter before the latter secured control. Passing the stands the first time Kakaley sent Dorsoduro Hanover on a speed mission to the front, and the pair never looked back.

With a half in 53 4/5, Kakaley kept the pedal to the metal and blitzed three-quarters in 1:21 3/5, losing contact with pocket-sitter American History while Thinkbig Dreambig marched on without cover.

Second choice Lather Up and Montrell Teague had plenty of ground to make up from third-over, and they closed in gamely for the place spot, but Dorsoduro Hanover won in most-convincing fashion, completing the mile in 1:49 4/5 over the rain-soaked surface. This Is The Plan re-rallied late to give trainer Ron Burke a 1-3 finish in the Crown final. Shnitzledosomethin and Grand Teton rounded out the top five.

"He was unbelievable today. He was very, very good. He's been there every week, every start," said Kakaley, who won his first two Breeders Crowns during the card. "All year long he's been there. He's been putting in good performances every time too. He races his eyeballs out. Ronnie's got him sharp, and he's kept him sharp a long time. He's done an unbelievable job. He deserved this win. He's been battling all year. The trips he's gone - the Meadowlands Pace, unbelievable. It was his due and he deserved it for sure."

When asked about Dorsoduro Hanover's chances for year-end honors, Kakaley responded, "This was the win he needed to have an opportunity to get the votes. He came through, and he did a pretty good job too."

Now with 10 wins in 18 starts this season, Dorsoduro Hanover's bankroll swelled to $1,181,612 in 2018 for owners Burke Racing, Silva, Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi and Wingfield Five.

Assistant trainer Mickey Burke was ecstatic as well.

"He couldn't have raced any better," Burke said. "He won the Adios, he just beat everybody. They say it all comes down to the Breeders Crown. Well he's got that too."

“I’m proud of him,” said Montrell Teague of runner-up Lather Up. “He definitely surprised me because he usually doesn’t come off-the-pace. Usually when he’s two-wide the whole time, he kind of runs in. But he was following the horse perfect this time. I’m very happy with that. It could have been way worse. At one point we were three-wide. Everybody was moving nonstop and nobody really sat and had any strategy, so I did the same thing.

“I’m pleased with second. Coming from the eight hole you have to look at it in perspective, so from the eight hole it’s like a win being second. But everybody wants to win the Breeders Crown. I haven’t won that one yet; I keep coming in second. It’s better than nothing.”