One year ago Brian Sears teamed with trainer Greg Peck to win the Peter Haughton Memorial for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings with this year’s Hambletonian favourite Muscle Hill. On Saturday, the duo returned to the winner’s circle at Meadowlands Racetrack for the $523,600 event with Holiday Road leading the way

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Elimination winner Holiday Road got away fourth from Post 1 while Plan B In Hd (George Brennan) flashed early gate speed from Post 7, but to his outside Wishing Stone (Tim Tetrick) set his sites on the front and rolled past at the :27.3 opening quarter. Plan B In Hd moved back out for the re-take, but the favoured Lucky Chucky (John Campbell) advanced to the lead from third past the half in :56.

From there, Sears gave Holiday Road the signal and the 2-1 second choice ducked into the two-hole at three-quarters in 1:25.3 before rolling up alongside Lucky Chucky. Those two squared off down the lane, but Holiday Road gained the upper hand and drew clear to win in 1:54. The time of the mile shaved a full second off the stakes record previously held by Donato Hanover and Muscle Hill.

Pilgrims Taj (Mike Lachance) finished one and a quarter lengths behind in second forcing Lucky Chucky to settle for third.

“I was kind of on my way and John [Campbell and Lucky Chucky] slide out following George [Brennan and Plan B In Hd],” explained Sears following the race. “The horse did everything I asked. I settled him back down and when I went to put him back down in the hole he responded to me well. He got back in there and relaxed and I was able to save him. No one was really coming that early so I was able to wait pretty long before I pulled him first up and I was really happy with him. He was real confident.

“He’s very mature," continued Sears. "I was very please with him. I scored him down and he seemed sharp and not overly aggressive and I couldn’t be happier. I hope to see you back here later [with Muscle Hill]."

“Its quite and honour and to do it two years in a row,” added Peck. “I’ve been asked a lot about comparing the two, Holiday Road with Muscle Hill, and I don’t know, I think we have to start looking at him like that now. I was saying it was kind of hard to compare, but after today I don’t know.”

Holiday Road now has three wins and a third on his record in four starts for Peck, who shares ownership with Jerry Silva of Long Beach, New York, the T L P Stable of Kearny and Patricia Bolte of Moorestown, New Jersey. The lion’s share of the purse boosted his bankroll to $312,350.

Stay tuned to the SC website for full coverage of harness racing's Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands.

To view the results, click here.