Breeders Crown: Perfect Sting, Charlie May don't disappoint in elims for 3YO male pacers

Perfect Sting and Charlie May delivered as heavy wagering choices in the two $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Driven by David Miller in the first elimination, Perfect Sting brushed from third to first after the 26 2/5 opening quarter. From there, Perfect Sting maintained control through a 55 second half and a 1:22 3/5 three-quarters, then sprinted home in 26 4/5 to tally by three lengths in 1:49 2/5. Chase H Hanover (Tim Tetrick) led early, yielded to sit the pocket, and held second, and Abuckabett Hanover (Andy McCarthy) wound up third after having to do the first-over work. Southwind Petyr (Jason Bartlett) came in fourth, and I'll Drink To That (Jason Bartlett) landed the last spot in the final.

"This was different from what it has been of late. He got home well today," said winning trainer Joe Holloway. "He paced through the wire strong today. I was happy to see that.

"I don't think he gets the respect he deserves. Last year certainly he did. But this year he has danced every dance and been there at the wire. He probably lost a few he should have won. He has been the most consistent of the 3-year-olds."

A colt by Always B Miki, Perfect Sting is a homebred for Brittany Farms and Val D'Or Farms. He has compiled a record of 15-8-1 from 25 career starts, and he has now earned $1,508,147. He paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

In the second elimination, Heart Of Chewbacca (Dan Noble) pressed on to take the top spot away from Water Sports Teen (Joe Bongiorno) coming to the 26 4/5 quarter. Southwind Gendry would then attack out of third, and he was able to forge his way by Heart Of Chewbacca nearing the 54 4/5 half. Watching that from fourth had been Charlie May (Brett Miller), but he came with a first-over rush on the last turn that carried him to the front en route to the 1:22 3/5 three-quarters. From there, Charlie May held sway to the line, winning by three-parts of a length in 1:49 1/5. Southwind Gendry came back on at the inside to finish second, Rockyroad Hanover (Dexter Dunn) rallied from third-over to come in third, Heart Of Chewbacca checked in fourth, and Water Sports Teen was fifth.

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"We were real excited today. Glad to come back here, thankful for the opportunity. The horse raced great. Brett said he was super," remarked winning owner-breeder Don Tiger. "He is one of those horses that when he clears, and he doesn't hear anybody, he slows down a bit. But he was super today, had a lot of pace left.

"He definitely loves a target. You could see it today pulling first-up. Southwind Gendry is a nice animal, and he engaged him and went right by. He's a beast, and we are really looking forward to the Perfect Sting showdown next weekend. The best part about it is I can't draw the nine-hole."

Steve Carter trains Charlie May, a gelding by McArdle. He is now a 16-time winner from 27 efforts, and he pushed his bankroll to $950,652. He was dispatched at 4-5 and returned $3.60 to win.