Breeders Crown: Felicityshagwell S with the upset in Mare Trot

Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt stole a soft half with Felicityshagwell S when nobody opted to challenge, and the 10-1 shot out-sprinted her rivals from there to win the $300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot final on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands in 1:52 2/5.

Felicityshagwell S showed her customary early speed from post six, but none of the other fancied contenders left hard, leaving her on the lead at the quarter in 27 3/5. Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) settled in fourth and bided her time in that spot, but did come to the outside in the second quarter. However, she didn't move up quickly, allowing Svanstedt to slam on the brakes and get to the half in just 57 2/5.

Atlanta pressed Felicityshagwell S on the rim around the final bend and to the 1:25 4/5 three-quarters, but Felicityshagwell S fought her off and then widened through the lane on her way to winning by a couple of lengths. Atlanta had to settle for second, and When Dovescry, who raced off-the-pace today and ended up positioned fifth-over, finished third. Ramona Hill (Andy McCarthy) and Sorella (Dexter Dunn) completed the top five.

"She always leaves fast, and then I was waiting for some of the good ones to come, but no one was coming," said Svanstedt, who won his first Breeders Crown event. "It was good for her. She has top form also, and she won easily."

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Knutsson Trotting Inc. owns Felicityshagwell S, a 6-year-old Maharajah mare. This was her 11th career victory, and she has now earned $524,050. She paid $23.00 to win.

"It's disappointing, no doubt about it. She is getting to the twilight of her career, and that's one thing missing on her resume," Gingras said of Atlanta. "So, there's no doubt, it sucks.

"She's a great sprinter, so I still felt confident going into the last turn. I've never driven a trotter that can sprint like her. First-up from fourth maybe did it in a little bit. I still think when she's a hundred percent she can go 25 and change, 26 flat; she shows it all the time on the program. But the other horse had everything her own way, so all the credit goes to her."

--Gingras quote courtesy of Ken Weingartner--