It all comes down to the Breeders Crown, and the anticipation is mounting for two thrilling nights of record-breaking racing at the Meadowlands.
Post time for Friday night is 6:20pm, and will feature the best two-year-olds fresh off phenomenal performances in the eliminations, held Friday, October 18th with a special afternoon card. One race that drew gasps from the racing fans and industry was the 1st elimination for the two-year-old pacing fillies.
Photo Credit to Chris Tully
Looksgoodinloulou (Sweet Lou-Looksgoodinaromper-Pet Rock) paced a scorching 1:48.4 to set a track record and stamp her ticket to the final. Trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable; Weaver Bruscemi; Larry Karr and Phil Collura, the filly picked up her fourth win in seven starts this season.
The rising star filly was bred by Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi. “We bought her dam as a weanling,” explained Mark Weaver. “She had a great career for us and we were very excited to see how she could do as a broodmare.”
Mark was still excited about her stellar elimination race, days later. “We’ve always been high on her. We were thrilled with the fast time but truly believed she had that type of ability.”
Drawing post 1 in the final, she faces a strong field and possibly some challenges with the post. Mark has confidence, though, in his filly and her driver. “Sometimes the rail isn’t ideal in two-turn miles, but I think it’s fine for her in this spot. Yannick (Gingras) will likely need to be aggressive and I’d assume he will be.”
Yannick Gingras has driven countless times for Burke horses. Does Mark sometimes take him aside and talk through the race beforehand, offering his input? “Maybe 1 out of 1,000 races I may give him a suggestion. This won’t be one of those times,” Mark laughed.
Photo Credit to Chris Tully
The field is a powerful one, with Miki and Minnie (Always B Miki-That’s The Ticket-Roll With Joe C) and Rodeo Drive (Captaintreacherous-Miss L A-Bettor’s Delight Deo)both drawing outside posts in the final. Looksgoodinloulou will definitely have a target on her back! “They are both very nice fillies,” Mark emphasized, “but so is Rose (Sweet Lou-Rosemary Rose-Foreclosure N) and all the others. With $700,000 on the line you never know what will happen!”
The dynamic stallion Sweet Lou has made his mark on harness racing, not only when he was racing, but now as a sire. The Sweet Lou progeny is synonymous with success, and Mark is partial to them. “I root for all Sweet Lou offspring even if we don’t own part of them. This is the 2nd year in a row he is the leading pacing sire in the US, that’s something I’m very proud of!”
After the Breeders Crown, Looksgoodinloulou may get a little rest. “Most likely this will be it for her,” Mark said. “We’ve tried to race her the right way all year so we’ll probably stick with the plan.”
Breeders Crown week brings out a myriad of emotions in the trainers, drivers, and owners anticipating the upcoming finals. Mark has been to the Breeders Crown and won several times, most recently with Bythemissaland My Girl EJ at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 2023, but do the jitters still set in? “Somewhat. The homebreds definitely give you a different feeling.”
One thing is for sure. The Burke Brigade will be in full force, cheering on their horses, particularly their Sweet Lou filly, and watching her with pride.
