Filly and Philly are top contenders in Breeders Crown

There are 127 horses in the entry box for Friday and Saturday's $5.4 million Breeders Crown races for all age, gait and gender divisions at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

As the last stakes races of the year, the results are expected to play a major role in end of year honors, including the Horse of the Year. The 2-year-old pacing filly JK She'salady is at the top of the Hambletonian/Breeders Crown Top Ten Poll by virtue of her perfect 11 for 11 season. No juvenile pacing filly has ever won Horse of the Year honors. She's the 3-5 favorite in her $500,000 division, racing from post three with Tim Tetrick driving on Saturday.

"I liked her from the beginning, even though she was fat like a broodmare when she came in [to begin training for her 2-year-old campaign]," said her trainer, Nancy Johansson. "At this time last year, she was exhausted after two laps around the track. But she always had a good attitude and did everything we wanted her to do."

Three Philadelphia-connected horses are among the dozen races, led by $3.5 million winner Market Share, co-owned by Richard Gutnick of Blue Bell. The 5-year-old is the second choice at 7-2 in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot on Saturday. The race features the best trotters in the world, including $4.8 million winning European star, Commander Crowe, the 3-1 favorite.

Also on Saturday, Southwind Roulette races from the rail at odds of 15-1 for co-owner Howard Taylor of Philadelphia in the $500,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old pacing fillies. Pacer Gallie Bythe Beach carries the hopes of her owners at Fashion Farm in New Hope in the $593,750 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Friday.