Breeders Crown: Favorites defeated in 3YO male trot eliminations

Ambassador Hanover and Cuatro De Julio posted slight upsets in the two $25,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot eliminations on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Driven by trainer Ake Svanstedt from the pole position in the first elimination, Ambassador Hanover led through fractions of 27 1/5, 55 1/5, and 1:23 3/5 on his way to a 1:51 2/5 decision. He defeated pocket-sitter Logan Park (James MacDonald) by 2 1/4 lengths, and Ritson (David Miller) rallied for third. Also making the final were Fly Light (Dexter Dunn) and In Range (Tim Tetrick).

"He can leave very fast, but I'm a little surprised. He was really sharp," said Svanstedt. "I think it was the best I've felt him. If I have a very fast horse, I like to have post one.

"It's a very nice track, and the horses come out of the races much better if they race without shoes."

Svanstedt also co-owns Ambassador Hanover, a Chapter Seven colt bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, with partners Order By Stable, Howard and Judith Taylor, and Diamond Creek Racing. Ambassador Hanover has eight career wins, he has now earned $551,114, and he paid $9.40 to win as the 7-2 third choice.

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In the other elimination, Inaminute Hanover (Bob McClure) blasted to the top from post nine in a 27 2/5 quarter, but he would be overtaken by Johan Palema (Yannick Gingras) beyond that station. Johan Palema reached the half in 56 1/5, and Delayed Hanover (Svanstedt) began a first-over move out of third on the way to that marker, giving a second-over trip to 1-5 choice Jujubee (Andy McCarthy) and third-over cover to Cuatro De Julio (Lucas Wallin).

Johan Palema was able to hold on to the lead to the 1:25 1/5 three-quarters, but he gave way to Delayed Hanover in the stretch. Delayed Hanover tried to set sail for the wire, but Jujubee closed in three-wide and Cuatro De Julio four-wide, and it would be Cuatro De Julio who got up in the closing strides to prevail by a neck in 1:52 2/5. Jujubee was the runner-up, and Delayed Hanover held third. Dancinginthedark M (Brian Sears) and Inaminute Hanover will also return for next Saturday's final.

"My horse is very good. The problem is sometimes I miss the race because of his feet," explained winning trainer Marie Ortolan-Bar. "Every Ready Cash has an issue, and he's like his mom. The mother of Cuatro, Clarabelle, she always wears shoes. She's a broodmare, but she cannot live without shoes. He's very sensible; that's his only problem. He's a very strong horse."

Cuatro De Julio, a Trixton colt bred by Dream With Me Stable, is trained by Ortolan-Bar for owner D Farm LLC. Cuatro De Julio made his 12th appearance in the winner's circle, he has now pocketed $474,003, and he returned $15.00 to win as the 6-1 second favorite.