Bythemissal converts, ‘Ruthless’ holds sway, ‘Joe Fresh’ defeated in Crown pace elims

Bythemissal and driver Yannick Gingras won with authority in the first of two $25,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace eliminations on Saturday night (Oct. 19) at the Meadowlands. The 5-year-old Downbytheseaside-sired gelding was a handy 1:48.4 winner.

The field of eight saw multiple horses leaving the gate, and Gingras was smart to keep Bythemissal in reserve through a series of lead changes before assuming command on the backstretch following a :27.1 opening quarter.

Once settled in command, Bythemissal, trained by Ron Burke, cut a leisurely pace, hitting the half in :55.1 and awaiting company. Scott Zeron took the challenge with It’s My Show attacking without cover on the turn and towing Seven Colors and Coach Stefanos along in the outer tier.

It’s My Show couldn’t reach the leader through three-quarters in 1:22.4, at which point Gingras let Bythemissal out and got an instant response. From the top of the stretch home, the battle was for minor spoils with Coach Stefanos and driver James MacDonald offering the most speed to be well clear for second, a length in arrears. In the battle for show, Seven Colors edged out Voukefalas and It’s My Show with all three gaining entry into next Saturday’s (Oct. 26) final.

It was the second win in just six starts this year for defending Breeders Crown champion Bythemissal. From the Western Hanover-sired broodmare Dismissal, Bythemissal was bred by Stephen Dey III.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi, Bythemissal paid $2.40 to win.

“The horse is super sharp. I kicked out the earplugs just to be safe,” said Gingras of the late challenge in the homestretch.

The second $25,000 elimination saw Ruthless Hanover and driver Andy Miller get the front three-eighths of a mile into the race and lead the rest of the way, scoring in 1:48.1 over a determined Abuckabett Hanover.

South Beach Star and driver David Miller left alertly, looping Ruthless Hanover on the first turn and driving to the top before the :26.2 first quarter. Ruthless Hanover and Andy Miller gained control as the field lined up through a :54.2 first-half clocking. As has been the custom for Ruthless Hanover, Miller let him sprint hard through the far turn, making it near impossible for Abuckabett Hanover and Dexter Dunn to make any sort of progress through a :26.4 third-quarter split.

With a long lead entering the stretch, Andy Miller worked to keep Ruthless Hanover engaged, and he did hold Abuckabett Hanover a neck at bay, though that rival closed a big gap in the late stages. South Beach Star held his ground well for third with Why Not Now fourth and El Rey finding a seam along the pylons in deep stretch to secure the final berth.

Ruthless Hanover is a son of Somebeachsomewhere from the Rocknroll Hanover-sired Rockaroundthetrack. He was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and is trained by Tom Cancelliere for owner John Cancelliere. As the 2-1 second choice, Ruthless Hanover paid $6.00 to win.

“I didn’t want to use him too much on the first turn,” said Andy Miller of his strategy to keep Ruthless Hanover in check until the early dust had settled.

In an upset, Grace Hill ended the nine-race winning streak of favored Twin B Joe Fresh to capture the single $25,000 elimination for the Breeders Crown Mare Pace. Todd McCarthy executed the upset, putting the former Crown champion in perfect position behind the heavily favored Twin B Joe Fresh and then out-sprinting her rival in a spirited 1:48.4 clocking.

Grace Hill, bred by White Birch Farm, is owned by Tom Hill and trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. The daughter of Always B Miki from the Western Terror-sired dam Western Silk won for the sixth time this year and quickly elevated her status to major contender for next week’s final. She paid $22.60 to win.

Eight of the 10 mares in the elimination qualified with Beach Cowgirl, Always B Naughty, Sylvia Hanover, Valar Dohaeris, Kobe’s Gigi and Zanatta joining the top pair. Silver Label and Strong Poison both received byes into the final.

A LITTLE MORE: Todd McCarthy’s followers cheered all night long, as the 31-year-old pilot led the driver colony by winning four races. His horses paid $2.60, $135.60, $22.60 and $9.60 to win. … Ron Burke led the trainers with three jaunts down victory lane. … There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $10,791 for Friday’s card. Those with five correct selections cashed in for $2,091.38. … All-source handle on the 14-race program totaled $2,819,914. … Check out The Meadowlands Facebook page and YouTube Channel on Tuesday (Oct. 22) at 3 p.m. and watch the live post position draws for the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot, 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace, Mare Pace and Open Trot finals live from Hogan Equine. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m. featuring the four Breeders Crown finals for 2-year-olds.