Harness: An emotional Breeders Crown that was one for the ages

Raw emotion will be the lasting memory from the 2021 Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands. Spanning the realm of the Standardbred world from those that are accustomed to being in the winner's circle with a Breeders Crown trophy to those who tasted success in the year-end event for the first time, those in attendance wore their hearts on their sleeves as the passion they have for the horses and the industry was on display for all to see.

From the first Crown event when Rebuff made up five lengths in the stretch as he charged home for the victory, we witnessed the ecstasy which can come hand-in-hand with racing. Watching from Pink, the track's restaurant, co-breeder Steve Stewart was the loudest voice in the room as he leaped in the air and cheered home the 2-year-old colt by Muscle Hill. Afterward he was as giddy as a young boy who just got his favorite piece of candy on this Halloween weekend.

"Usually we are jumping that high after a horse sale," said Hunterton Farm's Stewart laughing as he made his way with wife Cindy to the winner's circle undeterred by the heavy rain and wind.

That it was the first Crown win for trainer and co-owner Lucas Wallin would kick start a series of firsts on a weekend where fresh faces lifting trophies was the norm.

Fast As The Wind would finish second behind Rebuff at 80-1 and few people were happier than co-owner John Fodera. "I would've been happy getting any check," said the beaming long-time owner.

After Niki Hill posted the most spectacular performance of the Friday program by setting fast fractions and powering away from her competition and Joviality accomplished the rare daily double of winning her Breeders Crown from post 10 after winning the New York Sire Stakes final from post 8, it was time for the much anticipated 2-year-old colt & gelding pace.

The favorite was 3-1 in this handicapping puzzle and the race was decided by just a nose. A thrilling stretch-duel ensued between Monte Miki and Gulf Shores with the moments after providing not only raw emotion but true sportsmanship.

A large contingent from Diamond Creek Farm was on hand to watch their co-owned Gulf Shores, also part of the Crossover Racing partnership, and their Vice President and Director of Bloodstock Services Shaun Laungani put on a celebration for the ages on the track apron as he shed his coat and swirled it though the air in excitement before the realization kicked in that Monte Miki may have won the photo.

"Someone told me he won," said Laungani later. "At least a 'Miki' beat him," he continued, referring to Always B Miki, who stands at Diamond Creek Farm.

Gulf Shores' co-breeder Joe Mclead was quite emotional after the narrow defeat, more grateful for the terrific effort turned in by the colt by Downbytheseaside than upset at the loss. The gentleman that he is, Mclead walked across the apron to congratulate the winners. "I'm happy for them. They are Ohio people," said Mclead, a Buckeye State native.

Monte Miki is trained by Mark Evers and owned by Velocity Standardbreds of Lebanon, Ohio. While they were the first group of Crown winners from a state that has truly emerged as a producers of Grand Circuit horses, they wouldn't be the last.

With the rain long gone and bright sunshine taking hold, Saturday began with Test Of Faith emphatically placing her name near the top of the Horse of the Year list by capturing the 3-year-old filly pace. Then Felicityshagwell S, expertly driven by trainer Ake Svanstedt, got himself off the Crown schneid after 24 previous failed attempts as driver and 36 as trainer. The victory also gave Felicityshagwell S her first major win in North America for owner Knutsson Trotting after a handful of second or third placings in major stakes since coming to America in May 2020.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

The bubble burst on emotion following the 3-year-old colt and gelding pace when Perfect Sting, the richest horse in the sport in 2021 despite no major victories, finally got his gold star at the perfect time. It was almost visible as the weight of the world was lifted off trainer Joe Holloway's shoulders after the Brittany Farms and Val D'Or Farms owned son of Always B Miki edged clear to beat Charlie May by a length. The victory surely secured divisional honors and a healthy stallion fee when a decision is made in where he will stand in 2022.

"New Jersey is the place to stand the horse," said Brittany's owner George Segal, without revealing if any farm had the inside track, though a rumor was swirling on social media indicating Deo Volente Farms. "I can breed my mares to him in Kentucky and then they are eligible in both states."

Already first on the Breeders Crown owners leaderboard with 20 career wins, as breeder of Perfect Sting, Brittany moved atop that all-time list with 28 trophies, and gave the horse the distinction of being a two-time champion.

"Winning two Crowns is important, very important," said Segal on the impact of the victory for Perfect Sting's stallion value.

More disheartening than Friday's narrow defeat with Gulf Shores for Diamond Creek had to be Altar's performance in the 3-year-old filly trot. The sometimes erratic but uber-talented daughter of Muscle Hill was cruising along on the front into the stretch while appearing to have a huge chance at victory when she misbehaved and made a break, absolutely deflating her large rooting section as they watched Bella Bellini coast to victory.

While perhaps outwardly stoic as he stood alone watching the performance, you could tell that it had taken a toll on Diamond Creek owner Adam Bowden. To his credit, despite the extreme misfortune, Bowden immediately found Bella Bellini's owner David McDuffee and offered congratulations.

The celebration of the two-day Crown experience was next as Jujubee, clearly on fumes in the final yards of the 3-year-old colt and gelding trot, dug down deep to win by a length over a hard-closing Fly Light. A roar erupted from the crowd as high-fives were flying left and right from the large group in attendance to cheer on owner/breeder Jon Erdner and trainer Greg Wright Jr, both first-time Crown winners.

The victory improved Jujubee's 2021 record to 14 wins in 18 starts and vaulted him firmly into the Horse of the Year conversation with Test of Faith. It was also a signature win for sire Creatine and perhaps good reason for those at Diamond Creek Farm to smile as they stand him in Ohio at Sugar Valley Farm.

The continuation of first-time Crown champions rolled onto the Mare Pace and came from an unlikely source. While trainer Linda Toscano (8) and driver Scott Zeron (5) have felt the thrills of winning a Breeders Crown, Rocknificent co-owner Jeff Gural, the host of the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands and a longtime owner, was giddy as he walked towards the winner's circle to get his first trophy after 17 unsuccessful attempts under the Little E LLC banner.

"I've had terrible luck. We had Six Pack a couple of years ago and they brought Bold Eagle in from Europe and we drew the 10-hole. Six Pack was parked the whole way and finished second, probably the best race of his life," said Gural, who was glad he got the victory on his home turf considering the pandemic. "It helps because I don't know if I would fly anywhere today. I don't know if I would've gone to Canada or somewhere else."

Ecurie D followed Rocknificent into the Breeders Crown winner's circle and left just as quickly while perhaps leaving those accompanying him with the emotion of panic. The Ake Svanstedt co-owned, trained and driven 5-year-old acted up a number of times during the presentation and wasn't too happy with the blanket adorned over his back.

Ecurie D, who will stick around in North America next season, helped cap a huge weekend for Svanstedt, who picked up a pair of wins, seconds and thirds.

Finishing off the dozen Crown events and nabbing another Crown for the state of Ohio was Ocean Rock. The 4-year-old gelded son of Rockin Amadeus, himself a Breeders Crown winner at age 2 in 2012, came out of the pocket to defeat Cattlewash and Allywag Hanover by a neck in 1:48 3/5 and usher driver Dan Noble, wife-trainer Christi Noble and owner Sandra Burnett, all from Ohio, into the Crown record books as winners.

Handle was strong with over $7.3 million poured through the windows despite a bad weather night on Friday and an unfamiliar afternoon post time on Saturday. The weekend was a clear success thanks to the team at the Hambletonian Society and the staff and management of The Meadowlands who were always visible and working hard to ensure a smooth event.

Looking back, the 2021 Breeders Crown was everything that is right about Harness Racing. From great performances to a mix of fresh and familiar faces in the winner's circle to passion for the sport, we wouldn't change a thing.