Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Breeders Crown Issues Invites to Trotting Winners
June 2, 2004

Since 1996, the Breeders Crown committee of the Hambletonian Society, which owns and administrates the Breeders Crown, has issued conditional invitations to the winners of designated classic trotting events, with the intent of attracting the top trotters and pacers in the world to these shores.

An opportunity to compete in the Open Trot was created for the winners of the Prix d'Amerique in France, Sweden's Elitlopp, Italy's Lotteria and up to two European-based trotters of the Society's choosing. The winners of Australia and New Zealand's Inter-Dominion Pace and Inter-Dominion Trot are included as well.

The foray has attracted such superstars as the French trotter Coktail Jet, Italian deity Varenne, and the world's fastest trotter, Swedish representative Victory Tilly.

In order to participate in the Breeders Crown Trot or Pace, invited entrants must make up nominating, sustaining and starting fees for a total of $19,000 in 2003 and do not have to compete in eliminations to earn a berth in the final. The highest North American money-earner also gets a bye to the final if eliminations are necessary.

This year invitations were issued to Prix d'Amerique winner Kesaco Phedo, Sumthingaboutmaori, winner of the Inter Dominion Grand Final for trotters, Elitlopp winner Gidde Palema and Legendary Lover K, recent winner of Italy's Lotteria.

No other invitations will be offered.

Of the aforementioned trotters, only Legendary Lover K, of American origin, has indicated acceptance of the invitation to compete. The son of Armbro Goal was a Hambletonian starter in 2000 for DeWayne Minor. A mere $3,200 yearling purchase by Minor's father-in-law, Legendary Lover K has competed overseas since 2001 and has earned nearly $2 million for owners Allevamento Toniatti, Knud Erik Raun and Gunnar Christiansen. The current owners had already made the sustaining payments necessary for Crown eligibility, but by winning one of the foreign classics, Legendary Lover K now has a bye in the elimination and will automatically proceed to the final if entered in the Breeders Crown Trot.

The $800,000 Breeders Crown Trot is one of four Crown open events worth a total of $1.8 million on the July 31st card at The Meadowlands, slated for a 5:00 p.m. post time. As the opening day of the Hambletonian Festival, there will also be the 2nd Annual Hambletonian Parade in nearby Rutherford, Hambletonian and Oaks eliminations, superfectas in every race, a premium giveaway item and a concert in Paddock Park.

The complete list of eligibles (subject to omissions & corrections) is available at www.Hambletonian.org.