Breeders Crown: Field set for 2YO Colt Pace final after two eliminations

Two rookie pacing colts, Confederate and Handlelikeaporsche, made their first Canadian starts winning ones in two C$33,750 Breeders Crown eliminations on Friday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

One race after his aunt, Charleston, captured her Breeders Crown elimination, Confederate also visited the winner's circle following the first split for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The first division was reduced by one with the scratch of Sounds Good. Ervin Hanover was the swiftest early from post eight, and he was covered up by favourite Confederate at the 27 3/5 first quarter. With Tim Tetrick at the controls, Confederate tripped the halfway timer in 56 2/5 and was by the third quarter in 1:23 4/5.

Down the stretch several colts attempted to challenge, but Confederate held strong and was at the wire in 1:50 2/5. Ervin Hanover took second with Ammo third. Christchurch and Act Fast captured the other spots into next weekend's final.

It was the fifth straight victory for the son of Sweet Lou owned by breeder Diamond Creek Racing and new partner Crossover Racing. Brian Brown trains Confederate, and his summary improved to 5-0-1 in six starts for just over C$300,000 banked.

"My horse is way better at following, but the way it shook out I just went ahead and took control. If one of the better horses had come, I would have followed them. This is a good tightener for him, he hadn’t raced since the (KY) Sires Stakes final in Lexington (September 18). Brian had him ready, he was really sharp tonight. He's ready to go. I expect him to get through the week healthy. Systems all go, I think he's a hot horse right now," praised Tetrick.

There was much talk prior to the race that this was the colt's first start on Lasix which Tetrick noted: "They're doing the right thing giving him Lasix to treat him. For me, the horse is very sharp. It didn't seem to effect him at all. First start Lasix, he paced home really strong."

Confederate is the first foal of Geothermal, a half-sister to Diamond Creek's Charleston, as well as another of their star pacing mares, Pure Country, a winner of more than C$2 million in her career and a Breeders Crown champion during her rookie season in 2015 at Woodbine Racetrack.

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The second elimination saw Metro and Ontario Sires Stakes champion Stockade Seelster float out from post 10 to grab the lead for Jody Jamieson just past the opening quarter in 27 2/5. He paced by the half in 56 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:24.

Dexter Dunn and Handlelikeaporsche, who sat fifth through the early going and came first-up just by the half, advanced steadily in the outer lane and paced hard on the outside to go by the leader to win in 1:51 4/5. Doug McNair had Huntinthelastdolar flying late to take second while Stockade Seelster held for third. Combustion and Tip Top Cat also advanced to the final.

"He really gives 100 percent when he's on the track, tonight he felt great. You can do whatever you want with him; he's a true professional," complimented Dunn.

"Every race he's raced well; he got a little better down in Kentucky. Dexter was thrilled with him tonight, so was I. I thought he raced really good. My horse made his own race coming first-over against a very good horse. I'm just thrilled with him," noted trainer Chris Ryder.

A son of Lazarus, Handlelikeaporsche is co-owned by Ryder, William Ezzo, Robert Mondillo and Barry Spak. The colt improved his summary to 4-3-0 in just seven starts with C$245,000 on his card. He is the first foal of a half-sister to millionaire Vegas Vacation.

Here's how the draw shook out for next Friday night's final:

1-Tip Top Cat
2-Handlelikeporsche
3-Confederate
4-Christchurch
5-Huntinthelastdollar
6-Combustion
7-Stockade Seelster
8-Act Fast
9-Ammo
10-Ervin Hanover
AE-Save America

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park/Hambletonian Society)--