Boulder Creek wins on foggy night; Sears takes driving title

Boulder Creek emerged from the fog victorious in Saturday night’s $24,000 Preferred Pace at the Meadowlands.

Owned by Larry Baron, the 8-year-old warhorse was positioned in third early, powered to the lead as the field approached the far turn, and gamely withstood the strong late pace of Winbak Speed for his 41st career victory. Soul Chaser rallied well to finish third, just a neck behind the winner.

Boulder Creek ($6.20) completed the mile in the fog in 1:50.4 for driver Dan Dube and trainer Mark Kesmodel. It was the fifth win of 2008 for Boulder Creek, who pushed his career earnings to just under $3.4 million.

Saturday night marked closing night for the Meadowlands’ Holiday Meet. The Winter Meet begins Thursday, Jan. 1, and continues with live harness action Wednesday through Sunday. Post time is 7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. and 1:10 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

In a battle to the wire, Brian Sears uncorked five winners Saturday night to clinch the Meadowlands Holiday Harness Meet driving title.

Sears and David Miller were tied at 34 wins apiece entering Saturday's card. Sears pulled ahead with two early wins but was matched by Miller in races seven and eight. Miller looked to regain the lead in the 11th race with favorite Winfall Nasty, but his charge was not up to the task, leaving Sears to fire off an end-of-card hat trick and secure his ninth straight Meadowlands driving title. Sears finished the Nov. 21-Dec. 27 meet with 39 wins to Miller's 36.

The race for the trainer's title also came down to the final card of the year. Mark Kesmodel sent out two winners, pushing past Ross Croghan for end-of-meet honors with 11 wins to Croghan's 10.

Larry Baron claimed the leading owner title with seven wins for the meet. (Meadowlands)

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