Breeders Crown: Louprint heads Burke exacta in 2-Year-Old Colt Pace final

Louprint wore down pace-setter Fallout in deep stretch and held off fast-closing stablemate Sippinonsearoc at the line to capture Friday's (Oct. 25) $700,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male pacers in 1:49 1/5 at the Meadowlands. The margin was a head over Sippinonsearoc and neck over Fallout in the three-horse photo.

Ronnie Wrenn Jr. drove Louprint for trainer Ron Burke and picked up his first Breeders Crown trophy. The triumph was the 21st for Burke in the Breeders Crown. He leads all active trainers in victories, trailing only Jimmy Takter's 34 triumphs.

Louprint's time was one-fifth of a second off the stakes record, which was set in 2011 by the colt's sire, Sweet Lou.

"I have all the faith in the world in Ronnie," Burke said. "He knows what it takes to win. I'm very impressed, and I'm very happy for him also."

Fallout and Louprint started from posts eight and nine, respectively, and both left the gate quickly to get favorable early positions.

Louprint got the lead midway on the first turn and brought the field to the opening quarter in 27 1/5. Fallout and driver Tim Tetrick, though, were already closing in and took over the top spot on their way to a 55 2/5 half. Fallout remained in front at three-quarters, reached in 1:22 3/5, but faced pressure from Louprint as they came out of the final turn.

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The two colts battled down the stretch, with Louprint overtaking Fallout nearing the wire. Sippinonsearoc and driver Scott Zeron, who were sixth at three-quarters, closed on the inside with a 25 3/5 last quarter to get up for second in the final strides.

Louprint, out of the mare Rockin Racer, is owned by breeders Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and Phil Collura. He has won seven of 10 races and earned $737,939.

"This colt was trained at the farm, he didn't even go to Florida," Burke said. "All winter I kept telling the guys down in Florida, 'listen, we've got one up there that can beat all of yours.' They said I was crazy. I told them, 'the best colt we've got is up there.' We've battled all year between our group trying to see who's the best. Tonight, he gets to be the best."

Burke sent out four colts in the Breeders Crown. In addition to Louprint and Sippinonsearoc, he had Swingtown and Railroad Station.

"They're incredible; they're all good," Burke said. "They try hard. We even have some other ones that aren't in here that are really nice colts, but these guys are special. Sippinonsearoc, I have to give him credit. He just kept getting better and better all the way to the end here."

Sent off at 8-1, Louprint paid $18 to win.