Let The Battle Be Joined

Other than weather, nothing has been able to defeat Sebastian K this year.  According to a press release from the Hambletonian Society, it looks like the competition will be coming from Europe as Commander Crowe has officially accepted an invitation to the Breeders Crown.

The connections of Swedish star Commander Crowe have officially accepted an invitation to the $500,000 Breeders Crown Trot for the third time and the chestnut champion will make his first star on U.S. soil this fall.

Commander Crowe raced in the Breeders Crown Trot in 2011-2012 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, finishing third to San Pail and third to Chapter Seven in his respective events.

Since moving to the stable of French trainer Fabrice Souloy in 2010, Commander Crowe, now 11, is still going strong. He earned a Breeders Crown invitation by winning the Aby Stora Pris, a Grade 1 event in Gothenburg, Sweden, in August. Owned by Snogarps Gard AB (Barbro Wihlborg, Ulf Wihlborg & Joakim Wihlborg) the gelded son of Juliano Star-Somack-Mack Lobell has won 60 races in 103 starts, for earnings of $4.7 million.

“We are delighted to accept your kind invitation for our horse Commander Crowe in order to participate in this years Breeders Crown for older trotters,” said Joakim Wihlborg via emial.

”We are fully aware of the conditions and we are looking forward to be a part of the big event.”

The last invited foreign horse to win the Breeders Crown Trot was Italian sensation Varenne, who captured the trophy with a then-world-record 1:51.1 at the Meadowlands.

Trainer Fabrice Souloy reports that Commander Crowe will arrive in the U.S. in mid-October.

The $500,000 Breeders Crown Trot is one of 12 championship events worth a total of $5.6 million to be raced at The Meadowlands over the weekend of Friday, Nov.21 and Saturday, Nov. 22.

Of course, the battle may be joined earlier as it is reported that Commander Crowe will be racing in the Yonkers International on October 25, as Sebastian K has already accepted an invitation to the race.

Thanks to the foreign invaders, this will be a terrific end to the stakes portion of the racing calendar.  If only a proposition bet was allowed, it would be interesting to be able to bet on who will finish the best in summary in their match up, adding in a few American horses.  All I can say is may the better horse win.