Woodbine Harness: Freaky Feet Pete a Breeders Crown champion

If there were any doubters left about the ability of Freaky Feet Pete, that was quickly erased after the Indiana-bred stormed home in the stretch to capture the Breeders Crown final for 3-year-old pacing colts and gelding at Woodbine on Saturday.

It was Reverend Hanover who proved fastest off the gate with a 26 second opening quarter. But Lost For Words was also quick off the gate and after a brief stay in the pocket he brushed to command before the 55-second half mile marker. Driver David Miller stepped on the gas and opened up 2 1/2 lengths on the field with a 27 1/5 third quarter.

All the balls were in the court of Lost For Words as he increased his lead to nearly four lengths before the bottom fell out. The field was closing in and moving fastest of all from third over was Freaky Feet Pete. He easily paced past the second-over Wakizashi Hanover and won going away by 1 1/2 lengths over Artspeak, who tracked from fourth over.

The time of the mile was a solid 1:50 over a track rated sloppy.

“I knew we still had our work cut out because Dave (Miller, Lost For Words) got a good jump on us coming into the stretch,” said driver Trace Tetrick on his chances turning for home.

For co-owner and on this occasion caretaker Marty Rheinheimer, the win was very sweet.

“I’m just amazed. I can’t believe it. It is a dream come true,” said Rheinheimer. “The relief when he crossed the wire, I just can’t explain it. What a ride.”

For Freaky Feet Pete, who is trained by Larry Rheinheimer, it was his 13th win in 15 starts in 2015. Also owned by Mary Jo Rheinheimer, the son of Rockin Image-Skyway Lori will head back home to Hoosier Park.

“We are going to get him home and make sure he comes out of it okay and if so we’ll race Friday at Hoosier (Monument Circle). After that it is the American National at Balmoral,” said Marty Rheinheimer, before speaking about the possibility of a Grand Circuit campaign in 2016.

“We are planning on it right now but it is not definite. We want to race him some at home too. He has a huge fan base,” he said.

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