Sears wins, bucks & co.

When racing resumes Friday night for the final two programs of 2006, there is little doubt who has dominated the driving colony for both the fall meet and the entire year at the Meadowlands--Brian Sears. Through 19 of 21 programs, Sears leads the way with 47 victories, 20 more than Yannick Gingras in second place. Combining statistics for the January through August meet with the fall season, Sears has 339 victories to 236 for Ron Pierce.

Four of Sears’ stakes wins at the Meadowlands this year were with Sand Vic, a finalist for Older Trotter of the Year, who captured the Cutler, Titan Cup, Breeders Crown Open Trot and Nat Ray. Sears also won the Breeders Crown Open Pace with Lis Mara, who was voted the Dan Patch Award as Older Pacing Horse of the Year.

Sears’ other stakes wins at the Meadowlands in 2006 included the Aquarius with Jenna’s Choice, Exit 16W with Deliver The Goods, Hiram Woodruff with Corleone Kosmos, Stanley Dancer with Mr Pine Chip and the Tarport Hap with My Little Dragon, a finalist for 3-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year.

In 2006, Sears also broke a track record that had lasted for 20 years. From March 3 and May 18, 2006, he won at least one race for 48 consecutive programs, eclipsing the 47-program streak set by John Campbell in 1986. Sears’ skein was snapped on Friday, May 19, 2006 when he had six seconds from 12 drives.

Fall Meet Top Drivers
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Win % Earnings

Brian Sears 193 47 22 29 24% $780,060
Yannick Gingras 169 27 22 27 16% $547,767
Ron Pierce 173 26 26 26 15% $697,753
David Miller 184 22 28 20 12% $1,165,476
George Brennan 135 19 21 20 14% $641,353
Andy Miller 166 16 32 20 10% $466,581
Cat Manzi 173 16 20 16 9% $307,599
Daniel Dube 170 12 15 23 7% $366,348

Combined Leaders Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Win % Earnings Total Wins Total Purses

Brian Sears 1634 339 243 221 21% $7,333,047 433 $11,439,087
Ron Pierce 1557 236 194 191 15% $6,954,958 456 $14,439,087
George Brennan 1441 208 198 179 14% $4,915,198 339 $9,006,143
Yannick Gingras 1399 172 184 176 12% $3,643,097 368 $7,135,242
Cat Manzi 1380 154 161 158 11% $4,236,714 685 $7,860,920
David Miller 1551 151 169 185 10% $5,209,413 367 $10,162,260
John Campbell 1150 133 131 143 12% $5,088,586 183 $8,790,864
Andy Miller 1089 89 123 122 8% $2,614,010 405 $5,835,704

Combined leaders are the merged stats from the Meadowlands January through August meet with the fall meet. Total Wins and Total Purse stats are for 2006 in North America. All stats are through Dec. 27. (Meadowlands)

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