$180,000 aged trot: This will be the concluding chapter in the career of 3-5 morning-line favorite Chapter Seven, who has gone to the winner’s circle in 19 of 27 starts. Last time out he won the Breeders Crown aged trot and last year he took the Breeders Crown race for 3-year-old trotters. “He’s an amazing horse,” trainer Linda Toscano said. “It didn’t make any difference where I raced him or what sized track — mile, 5/8ths, 1/2-mile. He has gotten better as he has gotten older.”
Milbert’s picks: 1. Chapter Seven; 2. Wishing Stone; 3. Swan In A Million.
$230,000 3-year-old male trot: A 13-time winner, Market Share has been worse than third only twice in his 23-race career. In his two most recent outings, Market Share was second in his Breeders Crown elimination and third in the championship race at Woodbine after winning the $1 million (Canadian) Canadian Trotting Classic there earlier this year. Toscano believes that his chances were compromised when circumstances dictated that he spend time trotting on the lead in both Breeders Crown races. “He’s not his best on the lead,” Toscano said. “He loves a target.”
Milbert’s picks: 1. Market Share; 2. Prayer Session; 3. Appomattox.
$130,000 3-year-old filly trot: With seven wins and five places in 14 races this year, Maven is the class act. Her biggest conquest for owner William Donovan, trainer Jonas Czernyson and driver Yannick Gingras came two weeks ago in the Breeders Crown.
Milbert’s picks: 1. Maven; 2. Canadian Justice; 3. Northern Miss Hall.
$182.000 aged pace: When Gingras piloted Foiled Again to victory in the Indian Pacing Derby last time out in 1:491/5, it was an Indiana Downs track record. “It’s amazing seeing his times at his age,” trainer Ron Burke said of the defending champion in this race. “I’ve had faster horses but I’ve never had a more consistent horse. He has been a little unlucky this year — twice he lost photo finishes to other horses in our barn.”
Milbert’s picks: 1. Foiled Again; 2. Golden Receiver; 3. Foreclosure N.
$260,000 3-year-old male pace: Indiana-bred Our Lucky Chip has won 16 of his 19 races this year but he’s projected as an 8-1 outsider in the field of 10. The 7-2 favorite is the colt with the inside starting slot, Hurrikane Kingcole, victorious in five of 16 starts but a winner in 1:471/5 at the Meadowlands. Dynamic Youth, the 7-2 second choice, is the winner of the Cane, first leg of the pacing Triple Crown.
Milbert’s picks: 1. Dynamic Youth; 2. Our Lucky Chip; 3. EZ Noah.
$145,000 3-year-old filly pace: Even-money favorite American Jewel has won 16 or her 24 races and failed to hit the board only once. Her bankroll of $1,773,865 is more than three times bigger than that of the next richest horse in the field of 10 and none of her rivals can hold a candle to her career best time of 1:482/5.
Milbert’s picks: 1. American Jewel; 2. Podges Lady; 3. Destiny’s Chance.
$157,000 2-year-old male pace: Illinois-bred Big Brad made his last start at Balmoral and, in winning by four lengths, he set a track for his age, sex and gait when he was clocked in 1:51. Winning again will entail getting the best of Blatantly Best, winner of five of seven races.
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Milbert’s picks: 1. Blatantly Best; 2. Big Brad; 3. Fox Valley Action.
$113,000 2-year-old filly pace: Always About Katey is 9-for-11. Her earnings of $345,275 make her the richest filly by far in the six-horse race and her best time of 1:533/5 sets the standard in that category.
Milbert’s picks: 1. Always About Katey; 2. Auniqueacquisition; 3. Special Rose.