Lucky Jim captures Breeders Crown Trot Final

Horseracing Betting Lines

08/22/2009 - East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Odds-on favorite Lucky Jim, driven by Andy Miller, held off Arch Madness down the stretch to win Saturday's $600,000 Breeders Crown Trot at The Meadowlands. A total of four Breeders Crown races for older harness horses were held Saturday night.

Trained by Julie Miller, Lucky Jim was the overwhelming favorite based on his 2009 record of 16 wins in 17 starts. He was coming off a win in the Nat Ray Invitational at The Meadowlands. In that race he equaled the world record of 1:50 1/5.

In the Breeders Crown Trot, Lanson set the pace around the clubhouse turn and into the backstretch. Lucky Jim was sitting fourth in the six-horse field.

Midway up the backstretch Lucky Jim took over the lead, easily passing Lanson with Arch Madness moving on the outside into second. Arch Madness, the 2007 Breeders Crown three-year-old trot champ, got to within a length of the leader, but could not get any closer.

Lucky Jim rolled down the stretch to a 1 1/2-length victory over Arch Madness. Rounding out the order of finish was Lanson, John Paul's Legacy, In Focus and Misterizi.

The time for the mile was 1:52 1/5.

Lucky Jim went past the million-dollar mark for the year. The win was worth $300,000 to bring his 2009 earnings to $1,063,618. His only loss of the year was in the $662,860 Maple Leaf Trot Mohawk Racetrack when the four-year-old trotter finished third.

"You want all of them, but (the Nat Ray win) was a little more gratifying," trainer Julie Miller said. "I think (the loss) did give some people doubts. For him to dominate the race like that, I think there are no more doubts that he is one of the top horses."

In the current Hambletonian/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll, Lucky Jim is second behind Hambletonian winner Muscle Hill. Lucky Jim has 12 first-place votes and 319 points to Muscle Hill's 22 first-place votes and 335 points.

Sent off as the 1-20 favorite, Lucky Jim paid $2.10 and $2.10. Arch Madness returned $3.60 for place. There was no show wagering.

In the $250,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot, Dan Patch Award winner Buck I St Pat took the lead at top of the stretch and sailed to a three-length victory over Lavec Dream.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Buck I St Pat covered the mile in 1:52. The win was worth $125,000, bringing the victor's 2009 earnings to $234,125 with six wins in 11 starts.

Buck I St Pat, the 6-5 favorite in the 10-horse field, paid $4.40, $3.00 and $2.60. Lavec Dream returned $13.40 and $10.40, and Spice Queen paid $5.80 to show.

Hana Hanover, a 13-1 longshot, overtook Tug River Princess down the stretch to win the $331,500 Breeders Crown Mare Pace. Driven by George Brennan, Hana Hanover equalled the world record of 1:48 4/5 and established a stakes record, breaking the existing Breeders Crown mark of 1:49 2/5.

Hana Hanover was racing in second early behind A And G'sconfusion with Tug River Princess in third. Around the turn for home, Tug River Princess had the lead with Hana Hanover on the outside in second.

Trained by Mark Steacy, Hana Hanover wore down the leader and posted a one- length victory. Darlin's Delight finished third while 5-2 favorite Southwind Tempo was seventh in the 10-horse field.

Hana Hanover won for just the second time in 13 starts this year. She picks up $165,750 and now has $333,515.

Hana Hanover returned $28.20, $14.20 and $8.00. Tug River Princess paid $10.00 and $6.20, and Darlin's Delight paid $3.00 to show.

Closing the evening, Won The West put on a furious rush along the rail down the stretch to win the $500,000 Breeders Crown Pace. Driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., Won The West covered the mile in 1:47 a new stakes record.

Setting the pace was Art Official with Won The West sitting a close third in the six-horse field. Art Official, driven by Ron Pierce, still had the lead around the final turn with Shadow Play in second, Bettor Sweet in third and Won The West in fourth.

At the top of the stretch Won The West exploded along the rail to take the lead late and go on to post a 1 1/4-length victory. Finishing second was 3-2 favorite Shadow Play with Art Official in third.

Trained by Ron Burke, Won The West notched his second win of the year in 14 starts. The $250,000 brings his 2009 winnings to $458,085.

Sent off at 15-1, Won The West paid $33.40, $8.40 and $3.80. Shadow Play returned $3.20 and $2.20, and Art Official paid $2.80 to show.

The eight Breeders Crown races for two and three-year-olds will be held at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday, October 24.