Woodbine Mohawk Park: Caviart Ally a Breeders Crown bridesmaid no more

Caviart Ally was second in the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Pace two years ago and the runner-up in the Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace last season, but she got her trophy on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park, taking the C$393,000 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace in 1:49 3/5 over Shartin.

Kissin In The Sand (Yannick Gingras) vaulted away from the outside post seven and was able to get to the point, but driver Tim Tetrick already had Shartin out and on the move from the pocket going to the 25 4/5 opening quarter, and she would clear past that point. Kendall Seelster (Jody Jamieson) grabbed the three-hole, with Caviart Ally and driver Andrew McCarthy settling fourth.

Shartin slammed on the brakes in the second quarter to get to the half in just 55 seconds, but business picked up on the final bend as Caviart Ally came to the outside. Caviart Ally advanced steadily on the rim around the bend, getting to within three-parts of a length of Shartin at the 1:22 3/5 three-quarters.

In the lane Shartin and Caviart Ally dueled like they have much of the year, but Caviart Ally had her rival's measure tonight, forging past and going on to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Shartin held second, with Kissin In The Sand third. Youaremycandygirl (Louis-Philippe Roy), Kaitlyn (Scott Zeron), Bettor's Up (Joe Bongiorno), and Kendall Seelster rounded out the order.

"It feels great. It's been a pretty good rivalry and Shartin had the better of us all year, but Caviart Ally, she just seems to really love this time of year. She's always come good - ages three, four, and five she just really excels in the fall. We're finally getting the better of Shartin," said McCarthy, who won his third Breeders Crown so far over the two nights. "We've tried every way to try and beat Shartin. In Lexington we said 'let's try not to leave so fast and we'll come late.' I did that again tonight. I just pushed the pace a little bit, and then she likes first-over, she always has. She seems to be agreeing with it."

Caviart Ally is a 5-year-old Bettor's Delight mare trained by Brett Pelling for owner Caviart Farms. This was her 24th career win, and she has now earned C$1,870,001. She was sent off at 5-2 and paid $7.00 to win.

It was a measure of redemption for Pelling after his Papi Rob Hanover was disqualified from the victory in the Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace last night.

"It's pretty awesome after last night. I was halfway across the track last night, so this time I made it the whole way," remarked Pelling. "It's great. It's an awesome event. The Breeders Crown, it's the ultimate for us in the game, and I couldn't be happier. Great horses and big events, you give them all the credit. The time you spend with them, you realize they're special. She's a great, tough mare, and she stands up. Tomorrow she'll be looking to see what's going on for the next day. She's just got a beautiful nature about her, and she's one tough girl."

Pelling's misfortune on Friday night was Caviart Farms' fortune as they co-own Tall Dark Stranger, who was placed the winner, but this win was certainly a big one for them given Caviart Ally's successful career that is now even more complete with a Breeders Crown title.

"It's super special. She's been after the Breeders Crown every year, and we've never been able to do it," offered Judy Chaffee from Vienna, Virginia's Caviart Farms. "She's such a great mare. She has deserved it. She has raced well every single year, every year in the Breeders Crown, but for some reason this was her year."

"She really had to come strong that last quarter-mile. When she headed her at the top of the stretch, they hooked up, and they've done that before," added her husband, Buck. "Every other time we've come up a little short, but this time we didn't. It's just Brett and Andy doing a great, great job, and the horse just really, really working hard and showing her stuff."