Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

2005 Breeders Crown Press Conference Transcript

November 22, 2005

KEN WARKENTIN: We invite Mr. Chris McErlean, our vice president and general manager, up to make a few comments, perhaps also reminisce a bit about the Breeders Crown and his memories of it. Chris. CHRIS McERLEAN: Thank you, Ken.

On behalf of Carl Goldberg, George Zoffinger, Dennis Dowd, I want to welcome everybody to the Breeders Crown press conference. I know this is a busy week for everyone with the holiday. We really appreciate everybody taking the time out. I know these races are important to you, and they're important to us here at The Meadowlands. We're very proud to host for the second time the eight races that comprise the two- and three-year-old Breeders Crown championship events. A few years ago, The Meadowlands had the opportunity with a change in the racing schedule to run a fall harness week (audio interruption). TOM CHARTERS: The Meadowlands, as Chris said, has been a great partner for this, long for these races for quite a while, even before they got the fall dates, Chris and I talked about it. We think it's a great venue. We're lucky to have them as a partner. As Chris said, I would agree, it makes a great schedule that people can look forward to. I'd also like to express our thanks. We have some sponsors that should be recognized here. Hanover Shoe Farms, which needs no introduction. A little later, when we have the draw, we have representative Paul Miller, one of the leading automotive dealers not just in New Jersey but in the nation. And King Supermarket, which most of you are familiar with, who are working with us to benefit the Food Bank of New Jersey.

I'd also like to express thanks to the horsemen who are participating in this, keeping their horses going. We congratulate you. It's come down to 80 horses, a pretty select group when you think about all the horses that went to post this year. You're to be commended. Your owners are to be congratulated and thanked for their support of the event. We really appreciate it. It's something we are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

That's about all I have to say. I hope I see you in the winner's circle and give you a second Thanksgiving on Saturday night. Thank you very much.

KEN WARKENTIN: Speaking of second Thanksgiving, Tom, I get two, being a Canadian and US citizen. That's for another day. As you mentioned, the late Fred Van Lennep envisioned a series of championship races that would serve as the focal point for the entire sport. There have been so many great memories. We mentioned a large majority of the races have been held here at The Meadowlands, and also at Mohawk, Woodbine and Pompano, who are recovering from Hurricane Katrina. I believe they held their first matinee races yesterday. They are coming back.

One of the great statements that still holds true about the Breeders Crown is no horse has lost a Breeders Crown and been named Horse of the Year. Certainly it all comes down to the Breeders Crown. The series remains as popular as ever. It has provided so many great moments in our sport. (Video shown.)

KEN WARKENTIN: My colleague Bob Hollywood Heyden has produced no less than 27 pages of fascinating facts, trivia and quotes over the past couple of weeks. A one-man wrecking crew. The Breeders Crown people themselves have put together their usual array of profiles on each of the participants in that binder as well as their great media guide. We want to introduce and bring up the participants, the principals in our draw. Our first post position draw is for the three-year-old gelding pace. Tad Stockman, Cammie Haughton, the presiding judge, and also I want to introduce Cheryl Good. Come on up and help us out here with the draw. Cheryl is the manager of community relations and customer affairs for Kings Supermarkets, of course involved in the food drive to benefit the community Food Bank of New Jersey all week long.

First we are going to select and draw to see who gets to pick post positions first among the two elimination winners, upset winner Up Front Charlie and Rocknroll Hanover. Cheryl will pull out either 1 or 2 to see who picks first. Rocknroll Hanover, No. 2. That means that the people from Up Front Charlie will get to select first. Sam McKee, who have you got with you?

SAM McKEE: (Inaudible) this has to be a thrill of a thrill of a lifetime for you, Keith. You win the Breeders Crown elimination with Up Front Charlie. A lot of pressure on your shoulders. What post position are you taking and why?

KEITH []: I think we're going to take the three hole. Gives us the inside position, but not too inside. We'll take a look at it. SAM McKEE: Do you think you can win this race?

KEITH []: This is the best horse in the country. You're talking about a horse that wins $3 million the last two years, a horse that went 47-4 down in Lexington. I mean, eight others are just as good. It's going to be really tough. A lot of things have to go our way.

SAM McKEE: Keith, thank you very much.

KEN WARKENTIN: The connections of Rocknroll Hanover, go ahead, Bob. BOB HEYDEN: Mr. Pelling is in conference. Have we decided on post position for Rocknroll Hanover?

BRETT PELLING: We'll take 2. BOB HEYDEN: Tell us why. BRETT PELLING: Because he chose the 3 (laughter). 3 was my first choice. You know, take the 2. I imagine at some point he's going to be on the outside chasing down horses. Better be closer than further away. BOB HEYDEN: How did he come out of the race last week?

BRETT PELLING: Really good. He really recovers well, I'll give him a huge amount of credit for that.

BOB HEYDEN: Final career race?

BRETT PELLING: Yes, then he's out to the farm and a new career.

KEN WARKENTIN: Brett Pelling, his 10th Breeders Crown, winningest trainer in the Crown series. Only trainer to win five straight years from '95 to 2000.

BOB HEYDEN: Only trainer to win five of six. You have Strong Yankee with two of those. Before we ask you about the post, Strong Yankee was a very good horse. Last couple months he turned it up big time, hasn't he?

TROND SMEDSHAMMER: Just gotten better and better through the year.

BOB HEYDEN: Tell us about your post position selection.

TROND SMEDSHAMMER: We're goings to take the 3.

BOB HEYDEN: Mr. (Inaudible) have some input into this?

TROND SMEDSHAMMER: A little bit, not much. That was Brian's [Brian Sears] choice.

BOB HEYDEN: Does the post make that much difference to a strong horse like this? TROND SMEDSHAMMER: No. The only good part about picking a choice is that you eliminate 8, 9 and 10. Everything else inside doesn't matter that much. BOB HEYDEN: Going for Breeders Crown three straight years with Strong Yankee. KEN WARKENTIN: Going second, Muscle Memory. Jimmy Takter. SAM McKEE: Jimmy is no stranger to Post 10 in this year's Breeders Crown either. Two 10 holes already. As the draw was being conducted to see who won first, when Trond won, you said, "I can't win that draw, too." Where are you going with Muscle Memory and why?

JIMMY TAKTER: Well, if you have 10, and you take 1, even is out, right, I take 1. SAM McKEE: Post Position 1 for Muscle Memory. Third in the Hambletonian. Hit a bump in the road around Lexington. Do you have him back on beam now?

JIMMY TAKTER: Yeah, I think so. He was (inaudible) in the final of the Canadian Classic. He was bad in Lexington a week later. He had seven weeks off. He had a pretty good race here in this elimination. He will pick up in the final.

SAM McKEE: Do you have anything for Strong Yankee or Vivid Photo?

JIMMY TAKTER: Depends how the race go. A little bit depends on Vivid Photo, what kind of race he will choose to do. Of course, Strong Yankee go to the front, be kind of easy fraction, you know, it helps me to get the good check. You know, if there's two horses going out head to head, who knows.

BOB HEYDEN: John Campbell, he went past a hundred million in '91 in the Crown, and past two hundred million in 2001. John is back in the Breeders Crown. Tell us about Gold Dust Beach. What kind of colt is this?

JOHN CAMPBELL: I was very happy with his race. I used him pretty hard leaving the gate. He got a rest middle half. He kicked home pretty well. He got out-finished by Up Front Charlie. But I was still very happy with his race. Had a run over the track. I'm hoping he can improve over that. BOB HEYDEN: Pretty solid field.

JOHN CAMPBELL: Western Ideal and Rocknroll Hanover, they have to run into bad luck for anyone else to beat them. But that's possible as well. BOB HEYDEN: Couple other Breeders Crown, (inaudible) Dream. What kind of horse?

JOHN CAMPBELL: Very impressed with her. Kind of lost her cover a little earlier than I would have liked. She was a solid second. Again, she's drawing an outside post, going to lead a trip. Most of mine are in the same boat. Trips are going to have to be very lucky and the trips are going to have to work out well for them.

BOB HEYDEN: (Inaudible)? JOHN CAMPBELL: (Inaudible) hasn't had a trip lately. If she gets one, I think she's going to improve.

BOB HEYDEN: Good luck to John Campbell. Longest current streak of crowns.

KEN WARKENTIN: Sam McKee has one of the -- she's looking to become the third female trainer to win a Breeders Crown. I believe the score now is 1-1 between the two titans in the three-year-old colt pace. Casie Coleman alongside Sam McKee with the supplemental entry.

SAM McKEE: Of course, Casie Coleman, trainer of American Ideal. Instead of youth being served or winning a divisional title, you'd like to have a good post position for a change. Outside in The Meadowlands Pace, North America Cup, Post 9 for the Breeders Crown. Can you believe your luck?

CASIE COLEMAN: No. If you add in the Canadian races, he had the seven hole in his elimination, the nine hole in the final. His luck ain't real good, but hopefully he's going to overcome it. We've asked a lot of him with the outside post, but hopefully he can do it one more time for us.

KEN WARKENTIN: He's probably a better horse now than he was from the Meadowlands Pace. From an outside post, with three Pelling trainees, what is your plan of attack?

CASIE COLEMAN: That's not to up me. That's Mark MacDonald's call. He is going to have to work out a game plan for sure. We have three entry mates to compete with besides just the nine hole. I'm sure he'll work us out a strategy hopefully.

SAM McKEE: In the elimination, one of the Pelling trainees Speed Demon stretched you out pretty well before releasing you. Is that a race your horse will move forward off or did you have to move off a little more than you planned to go in the elim?

CASIE COLEMAN: They definitely took us pretty good. But the colt came out of it good. He was sick coming in that race, his prep race before that. He had just seven days on a ship to get over. I was very happy with him. He should be better this week hopefully.

SAM McKEE: Your driver, Mark MacDonald is actually on the phone right now. Ken Warkentin may have some questions for him.

KEN WARKENTIN: Mark, are you there? Great season so far. Hello, Mark MacDonald? Are you on the line? MARK MacDONALD: I'm on the line.

KEN WARKENTIN: Your comments about the elimination, the season so far. It's been a thrill of a lifetime, hasn't it?

MARK MacDONALD: Yeah, it's been very good. It's been thrill of a lifetime here. It's been an unreal ride driving a colt like American Ideal.

KEN WARKENTIN: When he came back just before the elimination, he was a little bit flat. Was he a lot better last week?

MARK MacDONALD: Yeah, he was really good. In his elimination, he got stung a little in the second quarter. Rocknroll Hanover managed to get on his back there coming to the last turn. He just happened to snap me right at the wire. It was unfortunate. But I'm sure I think he'll be much better off because I know he was sick going into that race.

KEN WARKENTIN: You have Post Position 9. Can you tell us a little about prerace strategy or will you wait till the wings fold?

MARK MacDONALD: You know, probably just wait till the wings fold, play it by ear, maybe try to get him spotted a little bot in the middle somewhere, go from there.

KEN WARKENTIN: Do you feel any added pressure driving down here at The Big M?

MARK MacDONALD: Not really. I really enjoy driving down there. It's a great track to drive on. A lot of professionals, a lot of fun to race over that track.

KEN WARKENTIN: What would it mean to win a Breeders Crown?

MARK MacDONALD: That would definitely be a big cap to a great season, that's for sure. KEN WARKENTIN: Best of luck, Mark. You've done a great job so far. This would certainly thrust you further into the national spotlight. Best of luck with American Ideal on Saturday. Bob, he won it last year with Western Terror. He looks to say good-bye with a bang on Saturday.

BOB HEYDEN: Same three horses he had in The Meadowlands Pace have held up well. Cam's Fool, of course Village Jolt and Rocknroll Hanover. Brett, how have you kept all three of them so sharp?

BRETT PELLING: I think one of the main things is we try to split them up as much as we can. They look like they've been racing a lot. If one has been one place, one has either been at home or the other. They really haven't danced every dance. It's a long season. You really have to prepare early in the year. There was races we sent Rocknroll Hanover to that we knew Cam's Fool or Village Jolt wouldn't go to and vice versa. It really hasn't been that difficult.

BOB HEYDEN: Some of the greatest races we've seen here, it takes two great horses to go to the wire together. Did we see that last week in the elimination?

BRETT PELLING: American Ideal is awesome. I even think he looks better now than what he did earlier in the year. Seems to be carrying a bit more condition. He's such a glorious pacer. The Meadowlands, when you got a horse that really paces good, there's no better track to pace over. I think The Meadowlands is a great spot for him. Rocknroll Hanover is a lot the same way. Rocknroll Hanover is like his father and his grandfather: he likes to bear down on horses, he really doesn't want to be the one being chased. It sets up as a good match-up. Two different styles. I think two great horses. I think we're in for a good show.

BOB HEYDEN: Western Ideal set the record. 2003 I Am a Fool. What is going to be going through your mind as you send out Rocknroll Hanover for your likely last ever Breeders Crown start?

BRETT PELLING: We're busy doing a lot of different things. I think afterwards maybe on the drive home it will be a little bit of maybe a sense of relief, but hopefully it will be a bit of euphoria there as well and we'll be celebrating.

However it happens, I mean, this place has been huge to me and the business has been great to me. I'm not going to have a problem with anything win or lose. BOB HEYDEN: Brett Pelling sent out nine Crown winners last nine years. He has the most in for the third straight year.

KEN WARKENTIN: Looking to become the sixth past $2 million in a single reason. Rocknroll Hanover the richest horse ever trained by Brett Pelling.

Sam McKee has I believe a Hall of Famer, am I correct, with a Crown dream of his own.

SAM McKEE: He indeed is a Hall of Famer. He's Doug Ackerman, 78 years old. We're glad to have you here today because you actually gave up opening day of quail hunting in California to join us. We appreciate that.

DOUG ACKERMAN: That's what I did. But I'm going to go anyway when I get done.

SAM McKEE: Of course, Doug is the owner and trainer of Chocolatier, the world champion two-year-old trotter, just cruised in your Crown elimination. At Lexington somebody asked you, is this the best did-year-old you ever had. He said he's the best two-year-old anyone has had. Does he have any flaws? DOUG ACKERMAN: Not that I know of.

SAM McKEE: Post selection, you opted for Post 1, Doug. A lot of races here at The Meadowlands. People think Post 3, Post 4 is the way to go. What went into your selection of the rail?

DOUG ACKERMAN: The shortest way around. That's all I know. SAM McKEE: The shortest way around and the quickest to the winner's circle. Doug, I guess you're 78 years old now, figure you can only train for another 15, 20 years, might as well bear down and get a winner here.

DOUG ACKERMAN: That's what I thought.

KEN WARKENTIN: That would be one of the great stories of the Crown history. Bob, I would say maybe a renaissance for Jim Campbell on his own now, he sends out Gold Dust Beach among a few others. He's tasted some Crown champagne. BOB HEYDEN: Not everybody in the room has been around for Crown glory, but Jim Campbell has Crown memories from three different decades. You go back a little bit.

JIM CAMPBELL: I guess I'm getting to be an old-timer now.

BOB HEYDEN: Tell us a little about the best memory you have coming in, then about Gold Dust Beach. JIM CAMPBELL: The best was (inaudible) Run The Table. He didn't win it, he won his elimination. Double heats. Got beat by Call For Rain the last step. The whole atmosphere was fun. We were down in Florida a whole week before the race. It was just a great atmosphere to be around then.

BOB HEYDEN: Galleria with a memorable win and Broadway (inaudible) was undefeated. His final race, right? JIM CAMPBELL: Yeah, that was his last race. I think Broadway (inaudible) showed what a great horse he was in elimination. He just went a huge trip. He got a real good trip in the final and won it kind of easy.

BOB HEYDEN: Your elimination, Gold Dust Beach, out of the gate in a big hurry. JIM CAMPBELL: Yeah, he's pretty versatile. He can race from in front, behind. Pretty happy with the five hole. John can wait and see what he wants to do, let him out of there or if he wants to sit in the middle, he can do whatever he wants with him. BOB HEYDEN: You hooked up with some good owners, Lee and Linda DeVisser.

JIM CAMPBELL: I was very fortunate. Lee called and asked if I wanted to train the horse. Obviously, the answer was yes. Lee owns half of Susie's Magic, too. He bought a piece of another horse we bought back at the sale. Lee is a true gentleman to deal with, real happy to be working with him. BOB HEYDEN: Not the Breeders Crown without impact from the Campbells.

KEN WARKENTIN: Sam McKee has I believe a trainer who has two in the Breeders Crown. Kind of a filly specialist, a guy who has quite a resume.

SAM McKEE: We're with Doug Miller, the trainer of world champion Macaria Hanover in the two-year-old filly trot, and of course (inaudible) in the three-year-old filly trot. Doug, we just talked to Jim Campbell about Susie's Magic. That's the filly who set your table for the world record in the elim. Tell us about that. DOUG MILLER: We had the nine hole, she had the 10. We both left hard, ended up getting the trip behind her. Went over the half fast. My filly was strong getting around here, real strong through the stretch.

SAM McKEE: Before Lexington, nobody had ever heard of Macaria Hanover to speak of. She really came into her own. Did you point for these last season races intentionally?

DOUG MILLER: Well, she had a few interruptions in her training last winter so she started baby racing late. John Campbell baby raced her for us and he liked her right early on. She race d in Pennsylvania. Started a bit late, but we've liked her all summer. SAM McKEE: (Inaudible), has she tailed off a little or can you still lock horns with the best ones? DOUG MILLER: She hasn't been good since Lexington, but she's had a long year. Drew the outside for Saturday night A tough spot.

SAM McKEE: For 12 years, Doug ran the stable in Pompano Beach for one of the greatest in the game, Billy Haughton. That had to be a tremendous experience.

DOUG MILLER: It was a great learning experience. He was a great man. He was a terrific driver and a great trainer.

SAM McKEE: Best of luck to you in the Breeders Crown this Saturday.

DOUG MILLER: Thank you. KEN WARKENTIN: We have George Teague on the phone. He had Rainbow Blue last year, horse of the year, coming back. Western Ace is in the Breeders Crown two-year-old pace. George, are you there?

GEORGE TEAGUE: Yes. KEN WARKENTIN: Your speaking to us live. Tell us about Western Ace. The season so far, the Woodrow Wilson winner. He has won many classics. Tell us how he was coming into the elimination and how he came out of it. GEORGE TEAGUE: He come out of the elimination real well. Going into it he was real good. Didn't get the ideal trip for him, landing on the front end so early. Still battled all the way through. I thought he raced real well. KEN WARKENTIN: Is there a plan to continue racing him one more time following the Breeders Crown or is that going to be it, put him away?

GEORGE TEAGUE: Yeah, no, the Breeders Crown is the last race. Really I wasn't planning to continue on racing him for as long as I did. He stayed fresh so long, we decided to continue to race him. It's paid off.

KEN WARKENTIN: You seem to spot bargains. I believe you spent a few dollars at Harrisburg, but bought a lot of horses. What is it that you look for in those bargains?

GEORGE TEAGUE: Originally price. I mean, doesn't matter when you only got so much money to deal with. It's kind of worked out to my favor with Rainbow Blue and Western Ace. No, look a little bit of confirmation, and breeding does matter more to me than the confirmation. KEN WARKENTIN: Do you think Western Ace should have the division sealed whether he wins or not on Saturday night?

GEORGE TEAGUE: Jereme's Jet has done a lot. Won equally prestigious races. To race that many times for that long a season, win the Woodrow Wilson, the Matron, in the fashion he done, I think speaks volumes. I would definitely think he would be the favorite going into it. KEN WARKENTIN: Cat Manzi is driving him now. Is there a reason for that?

GEORGE TEAGUE: Ronnie kind of opted off of him (inaudible) which I understood clearly. He's a stud. My horse is a gelding. He really does think a lot of (inaudible) Hanover. But picking up Cat Manzi wasn't a bad thing (laughter).

KEN WARKENTIN: Rainbow Blue is coming back well.

GEORGE TEAGUE: Jogging back well. If everything continues, stay on schedule, maybe can see him race in April. KEN WARKENTIN: Best of luck on Saturday.

GEORGE TEAGUE: All right. KEN WARKENTIN: No ones that soared higher and faster in the Breeders Crown and in harness racing, the soon-to-be $15 million man, Brian Sears.

BOB HEYDEN: Brian, let's take a look at some of the outstanding horses you have. Start with Strong Yankee. Turned it up a new notches the last few months.

BRIAN SEARS: Yeah, ever since the Yonkers trot, he's been a different horse. Seemed like he had some spring in his step. He's been good ever since. BOB HEYDEN: And you and Trond worked together so well the last couple years. BRIAN SEARS: Yeah, it's one of those things we've had a lot of success together and it seems to work. BOB HEYDEN: (Inaudible). BRIAN SEARS: Trond told me she trained really well since Lexington and she come back real good. She showed it the other night. BOB HEYDEN: Is she one-dimensional or can she run on and off the pace? I think early she was pretty much a speed horse.

BRIAN SEARS: Yeah, she was kind of brought up that way. She does like it up close. She gets a little aggressive, but she's able to handle it. BOB HEYDEN: Rocknroll Hanover last week, unbelievable. Top of the stretch, what were you thinking? Were you thinking American Ideal was gone?

BRIAN SEARS: Well, when I got the opportunity to drop back, I did. I know this horse just loves to pass horses like a lot of horses that Brett has trained, they just really love to go by horses. He's one that likes to do that also. BOB HEYDEN: Hard to believe he's been this sharp so many different points in the year. Is he as good now as he's been at any point?

BRIAN SEARS: I really like the fact he's raced five, six weeks in a row. I think he's a big horse. He's tight. He's sharp. I like that. BOB HEYDEN: Brett said he can sit in the hole and pick up horses out of the hole. Is that the case? BRIAN SEARS: It's amazing. He doesn't need a lot of racetrack to step around one. He's really quick. He can get around one in two steps.

BOB HEYDEN: Last week, a little traffic trouble.

BRIAN SEARS: Yeah, you know, it was one of those things he got a little rank in the hole. When something like that happens, you just feel fortunate to qualify.

BOB HEYDEN: Tell us about the earnings record, if you do get it, what it would mean to you. BRIAN SEARS: It would be a great accomplishment, no question. At this point I haven't really thought about it that much. I know it would be a great accomplishment to look back on.

BOB HEYDEN: Brian Sears, won four crowns last year, has a lot of shots on Saturday night. KEN WARKENTIN: Another guy who has plenty of shots with Sam McKee. I spoke to Jimmy Takter last week, another strong season. The highest average earning per start among stables in North America.

SAM McKEE: We talked about the good earlier with Muscle Memory Post 1. Let's talk about the bad. Cabrini Hanover did not win her elim for the three-year-old filly pace, you drew Post 10. How disappointing was that for you at first blush?

JIMMY TAKTER: Ten is, of course, not the perfect spot to be in the race. Cabrini, she's showing she can race from behind. Most of the races she's been racing great this year. She's been racing from behind. I don't expect the race (inaudible).

SAM McKEE: Was her elimination better than it looked because the pace was so slow up front? JIMMY TAKTER: She's a big filly. You know, she's been racing hard for a few months. She had a little break after Canada. (Inaudible) wasn't really enough. She definitely will be better on Saturday. SAM McKEE: You do have Brian Sears' undivided attention two tables away. Any instructions for him for Saturday night?

JIMMY TAKTER: Brian has handled the filly exceptionally all year. I think he's done a good job with her all year. He knows she's the best filly in the field. Just things have to work out the way we hope it will.

But same token, is long year. A lot of good horses out there. He just have to have a little luck.

SAM McKEE: What's next for Cabrini? Headed to the breeding shed or will we see her next year?

JIMMY TAKTER: We haven't decide. We also have a stake in Dover Downs. Very possible we might race in that one, too. If she coming out of this season good, she definitely will race next year. SAM McKEE: How about your two-year-old trotters? Passionate Glide have a shot?

JIMMY TAKTER: I think Passionate Glide, she hasn't (inaudible) a race in a while. She was winner in Goldsmith Maid. She had a couple weeks break after that. She went 55-4, got beat by a horse that was very good. But that thought will help her. She got Post 2. She's a contender. SAM McKEE: As far as the two-year-old trotting colds, Capetown (inaudible), can he bounce back for the final?

JIMMY TAKTER: I think so. Both my colts was no good. They finished fourth and third. I expected them to be racing better. We're going to do some major changes in shoeing. The track here is a little better than the previous tracks she raced, both of them raced on. They going to be better. SAM McKEE: Busy night for you Saturday in the Breeders Crown. Jimmy Takter, good luck.

JIMMY TAKTER: Thank you very much.

KEN WARKENTIN: Bob Heyden has a man that is hoping that Breeders Crown turns into a lonesome day. BOB HEYDEN: I am interested in asking Russ Croghan, you are the only man in the room that Mr. Brett Pelling used to work for. What was it like when Mr. Pelling worked for Mr. Croghan?

RUSS CROGHAN: It was good. BOB HEYDEN: For you? RUSS CROGHAN: Yeah. BOB HEYDEN: How long did he work with you?

RUSS CROGHAN: I taught him how to clean stalls, mix feeds. As time went on, he taught me the rest.

BOB HEYDEN: The rest is history. Lonesome Day, Sweetheart winner. Mythical in there. What kind of filly is Lonesome Day?

RUSS CROGHAN: Nice filly. Just been nice. Come to hand real quick. Went after the Sweetheart because it was the owner's favorite race. Kind of stuck around because nothing went wrong all season. She's still there, she's still doing it. We're lucky.

BOB HEYDEN: Not easy to keep a two-year-old filly sharp, back in July, then late in November.
RUSS CROGHAN: No. But you run across those that stay sound, healthy, like doing their work. As I said, we gave her 30 days off twice through the season. It really helped. Here we are. We got a shot.

BOB HEYDEN: Is the Breeders Crown a big deal in New Zealand and Australia?

RUSS CROGHAN: Only if you live in the United States, I guess, yeah.

BOB HEYDEN: So when Brett goes home, is he going to be able to watch the races? Do you have friends that watch you? RUSS CROGHAN: I think if he has a choice of the Simpson's or the Breeders Crown, he'll probably take the Simpson's.

BOB HEYDEN: So much for that.