Breeders Crown: Ecurie D defends Open Trot championship in style

Ecurie D teamed up with Dexter Dunn for the first time and went all the way on the engine to win the C$810,000/US$600,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot final on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park. This was Ecurie D's second straight victory in the event.

Starting from post five, Ecurie D went to the front, was never tested by outside pressure through fractions of 27 1/5, 55 2/5, and 1:23 and drew off in a 28 second last quarter, winning by three lengths in 1:51 flat. Jujubee (Andy McCarthy) crossed the wire second after sitting in the pocket, but he made a break nearing the finish and was lapped-on by both Amigo Volo and It's Academic. That elevated Amigo Volo (Todd McCarthy), a two-time Breeders Crown champion who rallied from seventh in the final panel, to the runner-up spot at 102-1, and It's Academic, who finished well from ninth, was placed third for David Miller. Jujubee dropped to fourth and Logan Park (James MacDonald) got fifth.

"He's been impressive since coming to the States and this year as well," stated Dunn. "When they asked me last week to drive him I was more than happy to jump on him. He led the way around there and put in a good mile.

"He was a little aggressive going out of the gate and to the first quarter still. After that he relaxed pretty good. He was coming into the last turn and he had both ears fully pricked. He still felt like he had some trot, so we gave him a growl and away he went."

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Ake Svanstedt trains and co-owns Ecurie D, a 6-year-old Infinitif stallion, with partners Marko Kreivi Stables Inc. and Suleyman Yuksel Stables Inc. This was his 19th career victory, he has now banked C$1,495,430. He returned $4.50 to win as the favorite.

"It's the owner and Dexter was available," Svanstedt said about the driver change. "We had a blind bridle on him at Yonkers [when he ran off in the International Trot], and he scored down nice but then when we came behind the gate and horses came, he shied and he started pulling."

Svanstedt sent out four horses in the field and offered some thoughts on Back Of The Neck and Rattle My Cage's performances as well.

"Timmy [Tetrick] wasn't so happy [with Back Of The Neck]. He was better in his last race. He couldn't come home the same today. Rattle My Cage, they came home fast. He didn't have racing room early in the stretch, but he raced much better than before."

Svanstedt said his charges will go into the TVG Open Trot final next and added that Ecurie D will stay in training next year.