Well Said easy winner in Meadowlands Pace

July 18, 2009

Well Said made a bold statement as he left a trail of dust in his wake in the $1 million Meadowlands Pace Saturday night, winning by six lengths in 1:47.3.

Well Said and driver Ron Pierce followed Art Colony to the lead in a :53.4 half and accelerated away to a four-length lead on the far turn, reaching the three-quarter marker in 1:20.2. He extended that lead with an eighth of a mile to go and drew off to a six-length ;It was another 3 1/4 lengths behind to If I Can Dream in third. Sent off the 2-5 favorite, Well Said paid $2.80.

Well Said�s clocking was the second fastest in Meadowlands Pace history, behind Art Official�s 1:47 track record over Somebeachsomewhere in 2008. The son of Western Hanover-Must See has now won nine of 18 career starts and $1.79 million.

�It was a big move, but the colt did it easily,� said Pierce, who also sat behind Art Official last year and 1997 winner Dream Away. �The colt felt super. I knew he had another 27-second quarter in him. I chased him in the lane just to make sure he stayed focused. He has had a habit of waiting for horses when he gets to the top. I never touched him with the whip. I just hit the disc [of the wheel] and kept his mind on it.

�Around the first turn, I wanted to sit him in but Steve (trainer Steve Elliott) had him too sharp,� Pierce said. �He was looking around at Dave Palone�s whip (driving Pair A Dice) and I just said there�s no sense in messing around, we�re going for $1 million. John (Campbell and Art Colony) went to the top and I just kind of moseyed on up there to the lead and just kept on going. This colt was wicked. I would say he�s by far the fastest colt I�ve ever driven in my life.�

Trainer Steve Elliott picked up his second Meadowlands Pace win in four years. He won the 2006 edition with Artistic Fella.

�He�s been sharp and good horses make trainers look good,� Elliott said. �I think he�s better with a target, but as he showed tonight, he can win either way. He has the Adios (at The Meadows) next week if we choose to go there. He will definitely be back here for the Holmes (Aug. 8) at the Meadowlands).�

It was the second million-dollar victory this summer for Well Said, who became the eighth horse to win both the North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack and the Meadowlands Pace. The others are Rocknroll Hanover (2005), Gallo Blue Chip (2000), The Panderosa (1999), David�s Pass (1995),

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