Pierce guides Boulder Creek at Breeders Crown

July 31, 2004

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - Hall of Fame candidate Ron Pierce posted a pair of upset victories Saturday night, capturing the open pace and mare trot divisions of the $1.9 million Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Four Starzzz Shark was the overwhelming favorite in the Breeders Crown Open Pace, going off at 1-9. But Pierce guided Boulder Creek to a 2 1/4-length victory.

Peruvian Hanover and Royal Mattjesty deadheated for second.

"We weren't racing for a check; we were racing to win," Pierce said. "We were in a real sweet spot (following Royal Mattjesty) and the horse felt real good. I was kind of licking my chop, but I wasn't sure what Mike (Lachance with Four Starzzz Shark) was up to back there, and I turned for home, we had some room. The horse had plenty of pace."

Pierce was back in the winner's circle for the ninth race, the $250,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot, with Armbro Affair, which held on for a neck victory over Lost Lady One. It was 1 1/2 lengths to Gypsy Balance, which was third.

Stroke Play, the winner of six straight, was sent off at 1-5 and finished fifth.

"I had a lot of confidence in her," Pierce said. "I raced her at Lexington and a couple other times last year and I really liked her. She beat the best of them a couple times. So I was kind of high on her coming into this race."

Upsets continued in the 10th race, the $300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace, which went to 20-1 Always Cam, driven by David Miller. Bunny Lake was second and it was 2 3/4 lengths to Loyal Opposition.

"She really hasn't been the luckiest horse, for me anyway," Miller said. "She's gotten a lot stronger, matured a lot. I figured with the big field, I'd be out the whole way and I ended up being a lot closer."

The $800,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot saw HP Paque win by one length over Legendary Lover K. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to Bebop in third.

"He's a really handy horse," winning driver Brian Sears said. "He's got high speed on both ends of it. I just stepped him out of there. We got a good trip; it just worked out."

Notes:
Race 8: Boulder Creek was our 4th choice at 10/1 morning line odds won the Breeders Crown Open Pace-Final. We also had Royal Majesty in the mix for the $155 exacta.

6 Boulder Creek R Pierce 43.60 147.80 0.00
5 Peruvian Hanover J Morrill Jr 52.00 0.00 2
Royal Mattjesty J Campbell 36.20 0.00

Race 12: HP Paque our top choice paid $10 to win the $800K Breeders Crown Open TROT Final.