Closing out the older horse Breeders Crown for 2009 was the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace. Just 6 went in the final with Shadow Play sent off as the 3-2 favorite over 2-1 second choice Mister Big and 5-2 third choice Art Official. Driver Ron Pierce sent Art Official to the front soon after the start and he set a pace of 26 1/5, 54 1/5, and 1:20 4/5 while 1 1/2 lengths in front of Shadow Play who stalked him in second the whole way. Entering the lane, Art Official continued to lead but Shadow Play was steadily closing the gap. However, 16-1 Won the West, who raced in 4th early, closed strongly to pass the pacesetters in the final furlong to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:47. Shadow Play nosed out pacesetter Art Official for second money.
Winning driver Jim Morrill Jr. said, "I thought this was the way it was going go down, to hope for some racing room late," Morrill said. "Everything worked out perfectly like that. The track's a little sticky, so I would say that mile tonight was a heck of a mile." Trainer Ron Burke, who won 2 Crown events on the day, added, "This one was a little more of a surprise (than Buck I St Pat), but we always believed in this horse. Jimmy's a perfect fit for this horse. No one saves ground better than he does. The horse wants to run in and Jimmy chased him on his left side and moved him back out, so everything went perfectly and he still paced 1:47. Shadow Play looked like he was going to run out and I hoped we'd find room inside."
Photo Finish Strip (very wide, scroll right for winner)
Results Chart
