Giwner: A Breeders Crown Top 5

As a writer I’m always looking for the next storyline, not necessarily conscientiously, but deep down in the cobwebs there is a small amount of brain activity trying to decide what’s next. Obviously the focus this week is on the 12 Breeders crown finals in general, but digging deeper, which topics stand above the rest?

Below are the top five topics I’ll be pondering in the coming days as we await the biggest night in Standardbred racing.

#5 – Encore! Encore!

If you read my editorial last week you already know I have a strong appreciation for 3-year-old pacing filly Kissin In The Sand. She took a bye into the final and was punished (so to speak) with post nine in her $500,000 final. Of course she overcame that difficult assignment despite a brutal trip in the $300,000 James Lynch memorial final over the same Pocono Downs surface she’ll race over on Saturday (October 27).

While I’m sure Kissin In The Sand’s connections would rather her have drawn a cozy inside or mid-pack spot, for me the handicap will only bolster her reputation should she prove victorious again from the most difficult starting spot on the gate by far. Post nine wins at just 4.6% while every slot inside of eight sees a percentage more than double that number.

Can Kissin In The Sand overcome the near-impossible again? I wouldn’t bet against her!

#4 – Takter’s final Breeders Crown

Trainer Jimmy Takter has amassed some gaudy statistics throughout the 35-year history of the Breeders Crown. His horses have earned $13,951,363 in the Crown, nearly double Ron Burke ($7.3 million) in second. Takter also leads in total wins by more than a 2-to-1 ratio with 33 in his career. Finally, and perhaps most impressive, nearly 39% of his starters have finished in the top three!

On Saturday Takter will send out 13 starters in what is expected to be his final Breeders Crown as a full-time trainer. Now that doesn’t mean he won’t be in the winner’s circle as a consultant or in some other capacity, and who knows, maybe after a year on the sidelines he jumps back into the rat-race.

There is no official retirement tour like Foiled Again, but in theory we could be seeing one of the greatest trainers in history listed in the program for the final time on a Breeders Crown card. Hopefully he’ll pick up at least one winner, preferably with Tactical Landing, who epitomizes what Takter is capable of accomplishing. He transformed the $800,000 yearling from major underachiever to one of the best in his division.

#3 – Horse of the Year

With just a few stakes races left it seems safe to say that the Horse of the Year battle is down to four horses – Atlanta, Shartin, McWicked & Kissin In The Sand. All of these stars are in action on Saturday and a loss by any will seriously hinder their opportunity to be named best in North America by the United States Harness Writers.

Considering how dominant both Shartin and Kissin In The Sand have been, I’m going to assume they come through again, which puts major pressure on the other pair. Atlanta must deal with Manchego and Phaetosive. McWicked must tackle both Lazarus and Donttellmeagain.

It’s safe to say it will come down to the Breeders Crown . . . and maybe TVG finals.

#2 – Chapter Seven & the undefeated

It really is a shame to lump Chapter Seven in with Woodside Charm and Gimpanzee because they all deserve their own separate space. But at the same time they share a common bond in that Chapter Seven, who is quickly becoming a stallion superstar, produced both of the aforementioned undefeated 2-year-olds.

Standing at Blue Chip Farms in New York, Chapter Seven has quietly seen his stud fee raised from $12,500 in 2018 to $20,000 in 2019. If that, along with having the potential favorites in both Breeders Crown 2-year-old finals, doesn’t tell you how good the son of Windsong’s Legacy has been in the breeding shed, he also sired Hambletonian winner Atlanta. His star is soaring!

Woodside Charm is one of the most impressive 2-year-olds I’ve ever seen. She brings back memories of Mission Brief (the fastest freshman in history at 1:50 3/5) in terms of pure speed, but to date her overall game is much more complete. She stops and starts with the composure of a classy older mare. At Hoosier she was able to leave in 27 seconds, back the second quarter down to 31 1/5 and easily sprinted the final quarter in 27 2/5.Woodside Charm is undefeated in six starts and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

One-upping Woodside Charm on the perfect scale is Gimpanzee. Following an extremely easy Breeders Crown elimination win from the difficult eight-hole, the colt is now perfect in eight career starts. At this point perhaps he lacks the brilliant speed of his freakish sister, but he’s been ultra-versatile and the ultimate cool customer regardless of trip.

#1 Sophomore Colt Pace Showdown

Everything is on the line in the $500,000 3-Year-Old Colt Pace and on paper it’s a wide open affair. It is truly amazing that both Courtly Choice and Stay Hungry failed to make the final and yet we are left with such a great race.

Dorsoduro Hanover won his elimination and was awarded with post one. He is the richest pacer in this class and a Breeders Crown win would cement that standing and perhaps earn him divisional honors.

Thinkbig Dreambig has an uphill battle ahead in terms of gaining enough traction to be named the best 3-year-old male pacer, but a Crown win would go a long way to earning him that distinction. We do live in a “what have you done for me lately” society.

American History is in the same boat as Thinkbig Dreambig, though he has a couple of extra wins and a bit more money in the bank.

Then you have Lather Up. He’s a virtual lock to win the USHWA year-end award with a Crown win, but post eight and a seeming lack of versatility stand in his way on Saturday at The Downs at Pocono. Can “Team Teague” get this son of I’m Gorgeous to settle down?

While just four likely have a chance to win some divisional hardware, this field is stacked with contenders. This Is The Plan and Shnitzledosomethin both won their eliminations last week, and Grand Teton and Springsteen have displayed a proven ability to step up. Only I’m A Big Deal, due to his post nine draw, seems to be up against it in terms of the win end.

That’s a wrap on my top five stories as of now. I’m sure we’ll be talking about some of the above during the cold winter months as well as new topics as the seasons change. Until then, let’s all take some time this Saturday from 5:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. to watch and absorb the great performances by our equine athletes and the magnificent job by the horsemen and women who have helped them reach this level.