Wilkes-Barre, PA — Scott Zeron drove Captain Crunch to a definitive three length win in the $600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old colt pace final at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Saturday (Oct. 27). The time for the mile on the track rated “sloppy” was 1:51.3.

Captain Crunch was a winner in a time of 1:51.3. Curtis Salonick photo.

From the far outside, Blood Money left with Captain Crunch, followed by Captain Trevor and flushing to the outside, Proof took an early shot at challenging. The first quarter was clocked in :26.4 as Proof took the lead into the half.

Proof rolled to a :55.1 half with Captain Crunch sitting in the cat-bird seat as Captain Trevor went first over, aiming at the top two inside. No Mas Amor went three-wide in an attempt to charge late. Three-quarters went in 1:23.2.

With a clear path to come out of the pocket, Zeron guided Captain Crunch into the second lane and the son of Captaintreacherous-Sweet Paprika catapulted past Proof and extended his winning lead to three lengths in 1:51.3. Proof held on for second, Love Me Some Lou passed tired ones to catch the third spot and No Mas Amor was fourth.

Nancy Johansson trains Captain Crunch for owner Rojan Stables, Caviart Farms, 3 Brothers Stables and Christina Takter. The colt was bred by Walnridge Farms and Sherri K. Meirs.

The win was driver Scott Zeron’s second in a Breeders Crown final.

Captain Crunch paid $11.20 to win.

“I was really happy with him,” said trainer Brian Brown about runner-up Proof. “He raced great. He didn’t leave much, got away about fourth, and then moved to the front into about a :55.1 half. It caught him at the end, but Nancy’s colts have been getting really good again so it’s not a surprise they got us and I’m happy for them. But I’m really happy with my horse.

“He’s eligible to the Governor’s Cup. I’ll have to run that by Adam (owner Bowden) and we’ll check and see how the horse is and make sure he’s healthy. But he seems really good right now. He’s playful and looks good. We could still go, I’m just not sure yet.”