MIKI AND MINNIE CAPTURES SHOWDOWN IN LYNCH
Dexter Dunn pulled Miki And Minnie out of the pocket in the stretch and overtook pacesetter Chantilly nearing the finish line to capture Saturday’s $250,000 Grade 1 James M. Lynch Memorial, for 3-year-old female pacers, by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.1. Rodeo Drive Deo was third ...
WILKES-BARRE, PA -- August 16, 2025 -- Dexter Dunn pulled Miki And Minnie out of the pocket in the stretch and overtook pacesetter Chantilly nearing the finish line to capture Saturday’s $250,000 Grade 1 James M. Lynch Memorial, for 3-year-old female pacers, by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.1. Rodeo Drive Deo was third.
It was the long-awaiting first meeting between Miki And Minnie, the 2024 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old filly pacer, and Chantilly, Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year. They were supposed to meet in the Fan Hanover Stakes at Ontario’s Woodbine Mohawk Park in June, but Chantilly was scratched due to sickness.
On Saturday, Chantilly and driver James MacDonald left quickly from post six and rolled to a :25.4 opening quarter on the lead. Miki And Minnie, who started from post two, took up the pocket position behind Chantilly, followed by Rodeo Drive Deo.
The order remained unchanged as Chantilly reached the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:22.1. Dunn tipped Miki And Minnie to the outside momentarily on the last turn but then returned to the pocket until the head of the stretch.
Once Dunn asked Miki And Minnie to go from there, she worked her way to the front as part of a :26.4 last quarter to earn her eighth victory in nine races this season.
“Yes, I was a little nervous,” Miki And Minnie’s trainer, Chris Ryder, said about the matchup. “I figured she might beat us out of the gate, and what would happen after that was up to Dexter. But (Miki And Minnie) got out of the gate well enough to get a good spot, and she’s just got a lot of heart.
“I think I know my filly fairly well; she’s a grinder. She’s not the fastest filly, maybe, for actual quick speed, but she can hold whatever speed she’s got. She just keeps it going. She’s got a big heart and a great set of lungs, and she always finds the wire. She’s fantastic. It’s just a great result. It’s a real thrill.”
Miki And Minnie has hit the board in all 20 of her career races, with 14 wins and $1.35 million in earnings. The daughter of Always B Miki-That’s The Ticket is owned by breeders Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo, and Lawrence Minowitz.
Ranked No. 1 in the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, Miki And Minnie has won nine of her past 10 starts dating back to her Breeders Crown triumph in October. Her only defeat was by a head in June.
Chantilly, who was unbeaten in nine races last season, has won 13 of 15 lifetime.
“Chantilly went a great race,” Ryder said. “It was a matchup we were looking for, I believe. Let’s do it again.”
Miki And Minnie, the 1-2 favorite, paid $3 to win.
Gigglingonthebeach, Perfidious Crown win Lynch consolations
Favored Gigglingonthebeach went a :26.2 quarter getting by Westwinds, then still had enough to stave off that potential pocket rocket while coming home in :27.2 to win the $125,000 Lynch Consolation I by a neck in a career-best 1:50. Driver James MacDonald and trainer Juan Cano, a hot combination in recent weeks, combined for the win with the daughter of Papi Rob Hanover, who is owned by Hot Lead Farm.
The Tall Dark Stranger filly Perfidious Crown was alertly hustled into the three-hole early by Pocono’s leading driver, Tyler Buter, then found room up the famed Pocono Pike and responded with a sharp burst to take the $75,000 Lynch Consolation II in 1:51.4. Tony Alagna trains the winner (along with second-place finisher Simply Perfect). She is owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc., Alagna Racing LLC, and Big Als Stables.
