Breeders Crown: Emoticon Hanover splashes to Open Mare Trot triumph

A compact field of four lined up to kick off the Breeders Crown action at Hoosier Park in the $250,000 Open Mare Trot, and it would be 1-9 choice Emoticon Hanover and driver Daniel Dube picking up a 1:53 4/5 win over the off track.

Starting from the rail, Emoticon Hanover shot through and forced outside leaver Caprice Hill (Yannick Gingras) into the pocket before the 27 second opening quarter. Emoticon Hanover was then unchalleged through a 55 3/5 half and a 1:25 three-quarters, with Caprice Hill, Pink Pistol (Louis-Philippe Roy), and Flowers N Songs (Matt Kakaley) content to draft in behind her.

In the stretch Caprice Hill angled out from the pocket and tried to chase down the public choice, but Emoticon Hanover kept her at bay, winning by three-quarters of a length. Pink Pistol completed the top three, and Flowers N Songs was fourth after she made a break on the final bend.

"She was strong to the half and I was able to relax her in the third quarter," said Dube. "She did everything super and she was strong today."

A daughter of Kadabra, Emoticon Hanover is trained by Luc Blais for owner Determination (Serge Godin). Emoticon Hanover picked up her 16th career victory, and she has now earned $1,032,302. Emoticon Hanover returned $2.20 to win.