Woodbine Mohawk Park: McCarthy hits Breeders Crown grand slam with Dancin Lou

Dancin Lou was victorious in the C$789,474 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace and completed a Breeders Crown four-bagger for driver Andrew McCarthy as he added two more wins Saturday night to the pair he collected Friday night. Trainer Tahnee Camilleri won her first Breeders Crown event and completed a memorable weekend for the country of Australia as well.

Semi Tough (David Miller) fired off best out of the gate from post seven, but Captain Crunch (Yannick Gingras) wanted no part of a pocket spot behind the 78-1 shot and so he already had his horse out and on the move before the 26 2/5 opening quarter. Captain Crunch took over command, but favored Bettor's Wish (Dexter Dunn) came to call on the rim in the second quarter, and he cleared to the top just past the 55 2/5 half.

McCarthy and Dancin Lou watched all this transpire from the fourth position, and McCarthy brought Dancin Lou to the outside on the far turn. He didn't accelerate right away when brought to the outside, though, and Bettor's Wish remained clear as three-quarters came up in 1:23.

Bettor's Wish turned for home first and seemed like he might be on his way to the victory for much of the stretch drive as Captain Crunch was unable to make any headway, but Dancin Lou found his best stride on the outside in the lane. Dunn asked Bettor's Wish to try and hold on, but the wire wouldn't come up in time, with Dancin Lou driving by in the last couple strides to prevail by a head in 1:50 2/5. Captain Crunch was third and De Los Cielos Deo (Matt Kakaley) flew home from tenth to get fourth. Southwind Ozzi (Brian Sears) was poised to follow Dancin Lou from second-over but hooked wheels with Fixed Idea (Randy Waples) on the far turn, lost all his momentum, and had to settle for fifth.

"I thought I got there. I had the momentum on the outside. I was hoping I did," said McCarthy. "I had a little trouble in the last turn there getting his momentum going, but once I got him rolling, what a tough horse. He just digs and digs and digs.

"I was hoping. I was quite confident coming into this weekend. They were all terrific last week. They might not have won, but they definitely trained up good, so I was very confident coming into this weekend. I've got to say I didn't expect four, but I was definitely hoping for a couple. Four's terrific."

Camilleri trains Dancin Lou, a Sweet Lou colt, for owners David Kryway and 1362313 Ontario Ltd. This was Dancin Lou's 12th career win, and he has now put away C$679,493. He was a 5-1 offering and paid $12.80 to win.

For Camilleri, a native Australian who gave up a law career to pursue training horses, she was beaming with joy just like she was when the horse won in Lexington and then again in his Breeders Crown elimination.

"You always wonder, doing a big career change like that, if it was the right decision," she remarked. "Twelve months ago, I think on TVG night, I had a horse in one of the undercard races, and I was just happy to get a winner on that night. Twelve months later to come here on one of the biggest nights of the year and to be a competitor was a such an honor, and then to win the race, I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

"There is an Australian watch party, I can tell you that. I've had so many people cheering for me, and it's been a real team effort. I'm very grateful, very thankful."