2008 Breeders Crown Open Races

The Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old trotters was run in two divisions, each with a purse of $132,327. 5-4 favorite Don Giovanni was loose on the lead the whole way through fractions of 28 3/5, 58, and 1:27 2/7 while as many as 2 lengths clear of the field led by 38-1 longest shot Eternal Elation. Don Giovanni continued to lead to the 1/8 pole, but 5-2 second choice Smoking Gun, who was fourth early, came on late to just catch the pacesetting favorite at the line by 1/4 length in 1:56 3/5. It was another length back to 3-1 third choice Guida Muscle.

Winning driver Luc Ouellette said, "He has matured a little bit and he's a little more aggressive now. At the gate I think he would have liked to take me out of there and possibly get involved, but everything turned out well. We got lucky that there weren't too many horses in the race and I didn't have to come first up with him. I don't think that's his kind of trip. We were able to sit until halfway around the last turn, and just pull out. Even then, John (Campbell, with Guida Muscle) was in and out a couple times, so he had a bit of a target there."
Results chart