Breeders Crown 2020 In Two Programs At Hoosier Park

The 2020 Breeders Crown finals are poised to be presented at Hoosier Park over two programs, Oct. 30 for the two-year-olds and 31 for the three-year-olds and the older. Hoosier presents some of its local stakes along with the “Crown” freshmen, which will be included in our never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch (H2W) list, where we reflect opportunities in harness satellite events around North America.

For two decades of Breeders Crown events, we found that elims (and preps) for the final fields sometimes reveal potential value in the championship miles. Trips count greatly, especially when public choices do not easily win their elims. What follows are suggested contenders in various finals that could upset for a win and/or strong prices adding dollars to winning exotics.


BREEDERS CROWN
Oct. 30/Hoosier
(Check program for order)

Two-year-old Filly Pace ($600k)
In the two elims for this division and one filly in each impresses us. Paulas Best Hanover was resilient in the same mile, losing ground, gaining it back and continuing to close on a favorite as a 92-1 shot took advantage of a favorite breaking and a second favorite tiring from an early move.

Scarlett Hanover is the other. She made a strong brush, stayed afloat outside to close within a head of the winner, while the favorite tired, finishing third. 

Two-year-old Colt Pace ($600k)
There were two elims in this division. At 9-2, JK Going West put up the best fight against a favorite (Southwind Gendry), bound to be among top choices here. Lewayne Miller’s local son of sharp sire JK Endofanera should finish strongly.

Always A Miki is the less-popular son of Always B Miki in this race (the other is an obvious public choice, Perfect Sting). Always A Miki should be as ignored in the final as he was when finishing third at 28-1, but we are still paying attention to the improving colt.

Two-year-old Colt Trot ($600k)
We handed out a winner with In Range in the first of two elims. Luck counted for us again as the race favorite broke and was elim-eliminated from the final. Here, though, On A Streak strongly closed at 8-1 and needs big-time respect in the final.

Do not expect the fair prices Venerate has offered recently in the final. The elim favorite, Captain Corey, will be second choice this time but these two dominate, so On A Streak still comes up the value proposition

Two-year-old Filly Trot ($600k)
With Donna Soprano’s break canceling her shot at a final and second-choice Iteration tanking in the stretch, advantages went to high-paying outsiders. Underrated in the final, though, will be Splash Blue Chip, who finished third as Iteration faded.

Swift Swanda successfully went after the speed and closed to be third behind the favorite. She is an outside contender, though locals may bring her price down.

BREEDERS CROWN
Oct. 31/Hoosier
(Check program for order)

Three-year-old Filly Pace ($600k)
Defy Party Girl Hill? This is as perfect a race to pass as any.

Three-year-old Filly Trot ($600k)
Nancy Takter’s odd-one-out, Caviart Eva, might be set up for the glory if the speed is compromised with duels and shuffling. That scenario looks good.

Three-year-old Colt Pace ($500k)
Let Tall Dark Stranger remind his division that he is no stranger to beating them. Pass.

Mares Open Pace ($300k)
Kissin In The Sand will pay nothing beating everything. Another pass for us.

Mares Open Trot ($300k)
Brett Pelling seems to have When Dovescry back in the kind of shape that put her on top on Hambletonian day. She won’t be a favorite here, either.

Three-year-old Colt Trot ($500k)
Amigo Hall is in the public favor and Ready For Moni has lost a few bouts. But Play Trix On Me is getting comfortable in the cool weather and could buck them both here at a good price.

Open Trot ($500k)
If you saw how Gimpanzee won last week, you’ll pass as we will.

Open Pace ($500k)
Two possible prices attract us. Dorsoduro Hanover and Backstreet Shadow. Sure, Bettors Wish could still be powerful but he may have to work harder than usual with these old steel monsters, and Dorsoduro Hanover beat him before in a race quite like this. Backstreet Shadow should do better and perhaps be a better exotic addition than win?

H2W Legend

Review our choices and confirm the wagers available at the prescribed track. H2W offers possible contenders researched from reviewing races. Horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track with the date of their race and the race number (R6 ) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name, it appears on the list for the second time (horses are listed twice only if, at first, they failed to win. An “ae” signals also-eligible. Types of wagers to make are based on your judgment.


H2W LIST

Batavia
10/31/20, +Sure Please R9

Dayton
10/29/20, Bigrisk Cruiser R10; Youlookhot R14; Woos Princess R14

Freehold
10/30/20, Sprout R1

Hoosier
10/30/20, +Sister Sledge R5; Eddard Hanover R6; Marloe Hanover R13
10/31/20, Fox Valley Gemini R7

Meadowlands
10/30/20, Dutiful R3; tequila N Roses R5; Dresden R8

Meadows
10/30/20, +Artifact Hanover R5; +Sullivan R6; +Classicality R11

Monticello
10/29/20, Nippy R5; Miss Quality R6
10/30/20, +Dirty Devil R1

Northfield
10/31/20, The Way You Are R2
11/1/20, Madman Hall R12

Northville
10/30/20, Sherwood Keepit R3; +Tellem R5
10/31/20, Bearly Behavin R6; Impressive Chief R7

Philly
10/29/20, Father Figure R2; +Smooth Aceleration R10

Plainridge
10/29/20, +JJ Shark R4; Lincolnjames R8; Grand Galop Semalu R9
10/30/20, +Lioness Hanover R6; +Rollingndiamonds R6

Pocono
10/31/20, Notwithoutafight R4

Yonkers
10/31/20, +Grand Priority R5