Breeders Crown Finals Light Up Woodbine Mohawk Park

If you wanted a snapshot of the modern Standardbred at full throttle, Woodbine Mohawk Park served it up across two spectacular nights of Breeders Crown finals. Records fell, reputations hardened, and a new generation of pacing and trotting stars etched their names alongside some of the greats.

The action began with the juveniles, and it didn’t take long for the headlines to start flying.

Storybook Love delivered exactly that in the 2YO Filly Trot, weaving her way through traffic to take the $700,000 final in a slick 1:52.2. The daughter of Chapter Seven, bred by Alan and Larry Troyer of Indiana, gave both her trainer Matt Bax and driver Todd Ratchford their first Breeders Crown victories. She hit the line like a filly who’s only just beginning to realise her talent.

In the 2YO Filly Pace, the Ron Burke–trained Loua Dipa produced a tour-de-force display to stop the clock in a record-smashing 1:49.1, setting new Canadian and stakes marks in the process. Bred and owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi, the daughter of Sweet Lou never saw another rival and looked every bit a filly destined for superstardom.

The 2YO Colt and Gelding Trot fell to Spencer Hanover, another Hanover Shoe Farms–bred juvenile, who unleashed a late burst to win in 1:53.2 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Marcus Melander. The colt’s victory delivered Hanover their 30th Breeders Crown champion and 34th trophy — a record of consistency that continues to define the great Pennsylvania nursery.

The most complete performance of the weekend came from Beau Jangles in the 2YO Colt Pace. Bred by Tara Hills Stud, the son of Cattlewash made it a perfect 12-for-12 in a Canadian-record 1:48.3. That time also stands as the fastest mile ever by a two-year-old in the country — a staggering achievement that underscored just how dominant the colt has been all season.

The three-year-old ranks were equally dramatic.
Yo Tillie extended her remarkable campaign in the 3YO Filly Trot, leading throughout to claim the final in 1:51.3 — her 11th win from 12 starts. By Tactical Landing and bred by GBW Breeding and Black Creek Farm, she’s been nothing short of flawless since July and looks a genuine open-class mare in waiting.

The 3YO Filly Pace served up something never seen before in the event’s history — a dead heat between Miki And Minnie and The Last Martini. Both fillies hit the line together in 1:49.2 after trading punches the length of the Mohawk straight. For breeders Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo, and Lawrence Minowitz (with Miki And Minnie, by Always B Miki), and Crawford Farms (with The Last Martini, by Huntsville), it was a special result that captured the competitive spirit of the night.

There was a shock in the 3YO Colt and Gelding Trot, where 62-to-1 outsider Meshuggah darted up the passing lane to deliver one of the biggest upsets in Breeders Crown history. The Greenshoe colt, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, powered home in 1:50.1 — a stakes record — giving driver Scott Zeron and trainer Marcus Melander another major trophy to their rapidly expanding collection.

The 3YO Colt and Gelding Pace brought redemption for Sippinonsearoc, who had endured more bad luck than most through his season. This time everything went right. The Downbytheseaside gelding surged through along the pylons to win in a stakes-record 1:47.3 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke. Bred by Trent Stohler Stable and Alesha Binkley, it was an emphatic reminder of the colt’s raw ability when things fall his way.

Then came the Open ranks — where established names became immortal.

The Open Mare Trot produced one of the performances of the year. Warrawee Michelle, the brilliant Walner mare bred by Warrawee Farm, roared home from the tail of the field to claim victory in a staggering 1:50.2 — the fastest trotting mile in Breeders Crown history. Her sweeping finish had the crowd on its feet and etched another line under just how potent Walner mares have become on the global stage.

In the Open Trot, the classy French Wine turned in his finest performance to date, stopping the clock in 1:50.1 and giving driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Nancy Takter a memorable triumph. Bred by Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, the Bar Hopping stallion uncorked a finish befitting his name, joining the ranks of elite trotters with a decisive display against a top-class field.

The Open Mare Pace saw Always B Naughty run her rivals off their feet in 1:48.1. The daughter of Always B Miki, bred by Steve Stewart, Conquest Acres, and Oakwood Farms, was perfectly handled by Dexter Dunn and never looked like being beaten. It was a powerful reminder of the mare’s brilliance and the growing influence of Always B Miki on both sides of the Tasman.

But the loudest roar of the weekend came in the Open Pace, where Ervin Hanover produced the fastest mile ever paced on Canadian soil.

In a jaw-dropping 1:46.2, the Captaintreacherous stallion lowered the mark previously held by Bulldog Hanover and gave trainer Dave Menary his first Breeders Crown trophy. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, the performance was nothing short of breathtaking — a statement of speed that will stand for years.

From start to finish, this year’s Breeders Crown showcased the depth and versatility of the North American breed. The juveniles set records across both pacing divisions, while the three-year-olds produced a dead-heat, a boilover, and more than a few goosebumps.

For breeders, it was also a weekend to celebrate. Hanover Shoe Farms extended their all-time record with champions in both trotting divisions and the headline Open Pace, bringing their tally to an extraordinary 36 Breeders Crown trophies. Warrawee Farm added a fourth Crown winner, Tara Hills Stud secured its second, and Alan and Larry Troyer joined the honour roll with their very first.

Below is the final tally of winning sires across the 2025 Breeders Crown Finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park:

Chapter Seven — 2 winners (Storybook Love, Spencer Hanover)

Always B Miki — 2 winners (Always B Naughty, Miki And Minnie dead-heat)

Sweet Lou — 1 (Loua Dipa)

Huntsville — 1 (The Last Martini dead-heat)

Cattlewash — 1 (Beau Jangles)

Tactical Landing — 1 (Yo Tillie)

Greenshoe — 1 (Meshuggah)

Downbytheseaside — 1 (Sippinonsearoc)

Bar Hopping — 1 (French Wine)

Walner — 1 (Warrawee Michelle)

Captaintreacherous — 1 (Ervin Hanover)

All told, eleven different sires shared in the Breeders Crown spotlight — a healthy reflection of balance, variety, and strength in the North American gene pool.

From the first juvenile charge to that record-shattering final pace, Woodbine Mohawk Park delivered a weekend that reminded breeders, trainers, and fans alike why these championships remain the ultimate proving ground for harness racing excellence.