Canadian driver Doug Mcnair leads Stay Hungry to win at Breeders Crown

Stay Hungry charged off the final turn to overtake Western Passage and then held off Shnitzledosomethin by a neck to win Saturday's US$600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-yearold colt pacers.

Doug Mcnair of Guelph, Ont., guided Stay Hungry to victory in 1:50.4 and earned his first Breeders Crown win. It was the third trophy for trainer Tony Alagna.

:It worked out but I moved him pretty early down the backstretch,: said Mcnair. :This track with the long stretch, it worked out pretty good. This colt, I moved him, and he knew what to do and he raced awesome. It's exciting. I think I've driven in five or six of these Breeders Crowns and never won, so it's a big thrill for me.:

Stay Hungry has won six of eight races and earned $437,964 for owners Brad Grant of Milton, Ont., and Irwin Samelman. It was the first Breeders Crown win for both.

:At the head of the lane I was a little worried having to go three wide,: said Grant. :But he's showed up every race for us this year. Dougie gave us a great drive.:

Sent off at odds of 9-2, Stay Hungry paid $11.00 to win.

Split The House won the $421,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace in a sparkling 1:48.1. Brett Miller drove the winner and hit the finish one length in front of Mcwicked, who's owned by Ed James of Aurora, Ont., and trained by Casie Coleman of Cambridge, Ont.

Also, Hannelore Hanover became the first female winner of the Breeders Crown Open Trot in 19 years, beating Crazy Wow by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:52.1

Marion Marauder, owned by Jean Wellwood of Stratford, Ont., and Devin Keeling of Cambridge, Ont., was third.