Breeders Crown: Women Layer, Dandy Ideal conquer in Open Pace eliminations

Women Layer and driver Yannick Gingras worked out a perfect trip behind pace-setter Best Chip and drove to victory in a snappy 1:48 4/5 mile to capture the first of two $25,000 elimination races for the Breeders Crown Open pacing division on Saturday night at Scioto Downs. The 5-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou was a winner for the 33rd time in his career.

Gingras left alertly with Women Layer, the 7-5 favorite in the field, and moved to the front into the first turn. Best Chip, a supplemental entry with driver-trainer Joe Bongiorno in the bike, drove on to the front in a snappy 26 3/5 first quarter. Best Chip was able to slow the half dramatically, with Bongiorno backing the pace down to a 55 second opening half, and then Ken Hanover and Tim Tetrick began a first-over grind with Bythemissal and Surreal Ideal following second- and third-over.

Predictably, the pace quickened, but Bongiorno still seemed to have a strong hold on Best Chip as he brushed off the challenge of Ken Hanover and paced past three-quarters in 1:22 1/5, then sprinted into the stretch. Women Layer found the passing lane and accelerated through it rapidly, going right by Best Chip to win in easy fashion. Best Chip held second easily with Surreal Ideal finishing strongly to nail the third spot ahead of Admiral Hill. Ken Hanover qualified for the final by finishing fifth with the higher 2026 earnings.

Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., Women Layer is owned by Let It Ride Stable, Jeff Fought Racing, Larry Willis and Jesmeral Stables. As the public choice Women Layer returned $4.80 to win.

"He's so tactical off the gate," said Morgan Jr. following the race. "Obviously speed wins races."

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

In the second $25,000 elimination Dandy Ideal rallied late to win in a blanket finish for driver Tim Tetrick in a 1:48 4/5 mile. Racing for the first time for trainer Brett Pelling and with the medication Lasix, Dandy Ideal, a 4-year-old by American Ideal, won for the sixth time in 11 starts this year.

Action was hot and heavy in the early stages as Ervin Hanover pushed away from the inside for Dexter Dunn before briefly getting parked by Calicojack Hanover with Yannick Gingras before releasing him. Prince Hal Hanover and Coaches Corner also left the gate with authority, with Todd McCarthy settling for a three-hole with Prince Hal Hanover and Jason Bartlett taking Coaches Corner well off-the-pace.

Following a 26 2/5 opening quarter Ervin Hanover gained control and worked his way to the half in 54 seconds flat before action began to pick up. Tetrick pulled Dandy Ideal at the half and waited for Prince Hal Hanover to provide him cover shortly before the five-eighths marker. Prince Hal Hanover pushed the pace and Ervin Hanover still had control in 1:21 1/5 at the three-quarters with the field bunching up.

Tetrick steered Dandy Ideal wide at headstretch and he finished strongly under urging, getting his head in front of a brave Prince Hal Hanover on the wire. Ervin Hanover was not far back in third with Calicojack Hanover fourth and qualifying for the final.

Owned by Susan Oakes and Allen Johnston, Dandy Ideal returned $8.20 to win.

"I thought the best way to get into the final was not to beat him up," said Tetrick. "I got a good trip and he responded."