Breeders Crown: Winner's Bet fends off Periculum in Open Trot final

Winner's Bet got the lead at the half, appeared to be drawing clear from the field off the final turn and down the stretch, but still had to rebuff fast-closing Periculum to capture Saturday's (Oct. 26) $600,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot by a nose in a stakes record-equaling 1:51 at the Meadowlands. Hillexotic finished third.

It's Academic was first to the quarter in 26 4/5 after a four-horse battle for the early lead. Ari Ferrari J moved to the front on the backstretch, but Winner's Bet had his nose in front at the half in 54 4/5.

Winner's Bet remained in control around the final turn and hit three-quarters in 1:23 while turning away a first-over bid by Oh Well. He separated himself from the field heading down the stretch, but Periculum and driver Scott Zeron came flying late to force Winner's Bet to work to the end.

The victory gave trainer Nancy Takter the 11th Breeders Crown of her career, moving her into sole possession of sixth place among conditioners in the history of the series. The triumph was the fourth of the Breeders Crown weekend for Dunn.

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"I knew there would be some action early," Dunn said. "But Winner's Bet has developed into such a nice horse and so versatile. He makes my job easy because I can move him whenever I want. We had to move when we did, and we got a pretty good third quarter after that. It was a long way down the stretch toward the end and Scotty was coming hard, but he stuck his neck out.

"I thought I was home halfway down (the stretch), but I saw Scotty coming pretty quick and my fella started to get a little bit tired. But he hadn't raced in a while, and he really did a great job. He was really good tonight."

Winner's Bet is owned by Lindy Farms of Connecticut and Robert Rudolph. He has won eight of 11 races this season and 14 of 31 lifetime, good for $1.3 million in purses. The son of Walner-Side Bet Hanover was bred by S R F Stable.

Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, Winner's Bet paid $3 to win.