Trainer Mark Kesmodel, who had never won a Breeders Crown race, got his victory and did so in style. The Kesmodel-trained Anndrovette, the 3-5 favorite, won the Open Mare Pace by 4 ½ lengths over stablemate Chancey Lady.
Luc Ouellette was in the bike for the winning drive, taking over for the stranded Tim Tetrick.
“If you can catch a catch drive at the last second this is what you want,” Ouellette said.
Anndrovette was in the midst of a terrific season, but faced some serious challenges in here, none more so than the armada sent out by trainer Tony O’Sullivan, who had five of the 10 starters in the field.
But Anndrovette could not have been better. She had the lead after the opening eighth of a mile, yielded to Rock N Soul and then moved back to the front as the field completed the opening half-mile in :54.2 From there, it was easy as Anndrovette and Ouellette scampered across the wire unchallenged.
“We purchased her at the Meadowlands Mixed Sale she won some New York Sires Stakes races for us and just kept getting better and better,” co-owner Jeff Bamond said. “This is my first trip to the Breeders Crown and I couldn’t be happier. I have had other good horses but I’ve never had anything like. This a dream come true.”
Of the Sullivan group, Blissful Smile was best, finishing third.