October 9, 2010
Buck I St Pat Cruises to Crown Open Mare Trot Victory
Buck I St Pat made it back-to-back Breeders Crown Open Mare Trot victories to kick off a dozen Breeders Crown races at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday night. The seven-year-old daughter of Jailhouse Jesse, sent off as the 7-5 slight betting favorite, scored impressively by two and a half-lengths over early pacesetter Autumn Escapade with Yursa Hanover a half length back in third.
Driver Tim Tetrick wasted no time at the start getting involved in the early activity as both Yursa Hanover and Autumn Escapade left inside of the favorite. Autumn Escapade, driven by Dave Miller secured the front midway on the opening turn and cut the opening quarter in a respectable :27.2. At that point Tetrick elected to move his mare to the front and as the field passed the large grandstand crowd Buck I St Pat gained control.
Buck I St Pat, owned by Howard Taylor, Ed Gold, Abe Basen and Ron Fuller, set the remaining fractions clipping the half in :55.1 and three quarters in a leisurely 1:24. At that point drive Tetrick turned the whip on the mare and she instantly opened ground on the field. For most of the stretch the battle was for the place. Autumn Escapade was put to a full drive and she was able to hold off a determined Yursa Hanover along her inside.
The 1:52.3 winning clocking was the fastest Breeders Crown Mare Trot over a five-eighths mile track in the 27 year history of the events. The victory also pushed the career bankroll of Buck I St Pat over the $2 million mark with the $125,000 share of the $250,000 final purse. Driver Tim Tetrick was elated with her performance. "She tries her guts out," he said.
Part-owner Howard Taylor, who had been told earlier this year that this could be the end of the racing road for this champion, said "We hope to see her back for this race again next year."
Afterwards trainer Ron Burke assured Taylor that Buck I St Pat will return. "She’ll definitely race another year," he commented. Buck I St Pat paid $4.80, 2.80 and 2.60 across the board. Autumn Escapade returned $3.40 and $3.20 to place and show with Yursa Hanover paying $5.40 to show.