Breeders Crown: Joviality S overcomes post ten in 2YO Filly Trot final

Joviality S overcame post 10 and stormy conditions to win Friday's $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old female trotters by a nose over Raised By Lindy in 1:54 4/5 over a sloppy track at the Meadowlands. Jiggy Jog S finished third.

Jiggy Jog S, Selfie Queen, and Lilbitalexis all left the gate alertly, as did Joviality S from her outside spot. Selfie Queen went off-stride coming out of the first turn as Jiggy Jog S took the field to the opening quarter in 26 3/5.

Lilbitalexis moved to the front on the backstretch, leading to the half in 56 1/5, but faced first-over pressure from Raised By Lindy as they reached three-quarters in 1:26 1/5.

Raised By Lindy, the 6-5 favorite, took the lead at the top of the stretch, but driver Brian Sears moved Joviality S, who had followed Raised By Lindy's cover around the final turn, to the outside and wore down their rival to get up in the final moment.

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"I wasn't too thrilled about the draw," Sears said. "She drew the eight-hole in the (New York) Sire Stakes final at Yonkers. She left hard from the eight-hole and got the front. I know she had good gate speed, and you can back her off after that. She's got great manners. That makes my job so much easier.

"I couldn't ask for a better trip. I'm just happy to get it done. My filly definitely loves chasing them down, and she got it done tonight."

It was Sears's 35th Breeders Crown triumph, the second-most in history behind John Campbell's record 48. It was the fourth trophy for trainer Marcus Melander. All three of his previous victories came with male trotter Gimpanzee.

Joviality S, by Chapter Seven out of Pasithea Face S, is owned by Courant Inc. and was bred by their AM Bloodstock. She has won eight of 11 races and finished second twice this season, earning $669,998.

Sent off at odds of 8-1, Joviality S paid $18.40 to win.