by Kimberly Rinker, managing editor, Hoof Beats

Campbellville, ON — Boulder Creek was an impressive winner for driver Daniel Dube in the C$265,350 Open Pacing Classic on Saturday night (June 16) at Mohawk Raceway in Canada.

Kimberly Rinker photo

Boulder Creek relaxes in the paddock prior to his victory.

The 7-year-old son of Pacific Rocket paced in 2:33.2, a new world record for the 1-3/8th mile distance. It was also the third straight year that the brown gelding had captured this event for trainer Mark Silva and owners Clifford Siegel, Lee Wasserman and John Fodera of New York.

“I got a perfect trip in here and this horse has so much class,” Dube said. “When you have a nice horse, they do the work for you. I wanted to race him from behind but nobody else was on the gate so we just left out of there pretty easily. Then, when Lis Mara pulled, I just sat on his back the whole way around and it was easy from there.”

Boulder Creek took the lead easily from the rail and led the field of four to a :28.2 first quarter. Lis Mara then pulled and led the field through fractions of :56.3, 1:24.1, and then smoked a :27 fourth panel for a 1:51.1 mile clocking. Boulder Creek then pulled out, and easily paced home with little urging from Dube for the new world record.

Lis Mara (Brian Sears) held on for second with Artistic Fella (Cat Manzi) third and Stonebridge Regal (John Campbell) fourth. Shark Gesture was scratched.