by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Chester, PA — Old Man River keeps rolling along.

Only in this case it’s a Creek — Boulder Creek.

Boulder Creek gets up on the outside to defeat Lis Mara.

The 7-year-old gelding proved once again he is capable of beating younger rivals on a big stage, winning Sunday’s $300,000 Ben Franklin Pace at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack by a neck over favorite Lis Mara in a track record 1:48.3. With the triumph, the 35th of his illustrious career, Boulder Creek topped $3 million in lifetime earnings.

“For me, every start is special with him because he’s known as The Old Man of the group,” said Tammy Silva, who takes care of Boulder Creek for her husband, trainer Mark Silva. “Even when he wasn’t that old, they thought of him as old because he’s been around forever. I never get nervous racing him because he always tries hard, and if the trip works out, he’s there.

“Creek’s Creek. Every race is fun and special.”

The trip worked perfectly for Boulder Creek and driver Tim Tetrick in the Ben Franklin Pace. Boulder Creek followed Lis Mara, who raced first over much of the way, as leader Gold Dust Beach took the field through an opening quarter-mile of :26 seconds and a half of :53.2. Lis Mara moved from fourth to challenge for the top spot near the three-quarter mark, which was reached in 1:20.4, and Boulder Creek moved three wide to begin his sprint for home.

In the stretch, Lis Mara took control from Gold Dust Beach, but Boulder Creek kept gaining steadily, getting to the top in the final few strides for the victory. Lis Mara was second, followed by Took Hanover and Timesareachanging.

“I definitely wanted to follow Lis Mara if I got that opportunity; I thought he was the horse to beat,” said Tetrick, the leading driver in North America who continued his amazing season by adding another stakes win to his ever-growing resume. “Lis Mara is one of the fastest horses I’ve ever seen, but there are a lot of good horses here, and if they get the trip, they’ve got a shot at beating him. That’s what happened today.”

USTA/Ken Weingartner photos

Tammy Silva and Boulder Creek head to the winner’s circle.

Boulder Creek was the 2005 Dan Patch Award winner as best older male pacer. He has won three Classic Series finals, two Breeders Crowns and a U.S. Pacing Championship in his career. He is owned by Cliff Siegel, Lee Wasserman and John Fodera.

“He’s got a little age on him now, so he needs a trip to win,” Mark Silva said. “The driver has got to help him nowadays. Timmy drove him beautiful.

“We’ve been through so many highs with him, and he just keeps coming. I don’t try to get him razor, razor sharp and take his edge; I just try to hold him steady so when everything comes together, he’s still fresh enough to win. What can you say? He’s been unbelievable and he’s still going today. He’s still together and he still looks good. I think it’s a good reflection on us. He’s just a beautiful horse, that’s all there is to it.”

Boulder Creek’s effort Sunday was only one-fifth of a second off Nuclear Breeze’s all-age world record for a five-eighths-mile track. He did, however, equal the world mark for an older gelding, set by Casimir Camotion in 2006.

“Maybe next year,” Tammy Silva said with a smile.