NJ Sired Trotting Series begins at Freehold Friday
Posted 1883 days
Freehold Raceway, in association with the Standardbred Breeders’ and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ), is kicking off a series for 3-year-old New Jersey-sired trotters on Friday. Six colts & geldings and six fillies were entered, as such, the first leg was split up into two divisions of six horses apiece.
The division for the fillies has been scheduled as the third race. The expected heavy favorite is Evident Beauty, winner of the Casual Breeze and the Elegant Image at Woodbine Mohawk Park, along with the Moni Maker at Hoosier Park. She was the favorite in her Breeders’ Crown elimination two weeks ago, before breaking stride in the stretch and finishing sixth-placed-eighth. Usual driver Dave Miller will be in the bike for the Nifty Norman-trained filly, who will leave from post position four.
Dark as a Pocket, who finished third in the Casual Breeze, and French Cafe, winner of the NJSS-SDF Final, figure to be the primary challengers to Evident Beauty. Marveloustrix, Sexy Wow, and Princess Deo complete the ensemble.
The top four finishers in last week’s Garden State Trot will return for the colts & gelding division. Lucius Vorenus, the upset winner, drew post position five, and will be driven by Andy Miller for trainer Nick Surick. No Drama Please recovered nicely after an early break to finish a nice-closing second. Austin Siegelman is in the bike for trainer Tom Fanning, from the inside post. Sovereign Deo was third at 32/1 last week, while Cotton to You was fourth at 8/1. Lucas Wallin sends out both, who will be driven by Jim Marohn Jr and Pat Lachance, respectively.
Hold My Heart and Warrior One complete the field. That division will go as the fifth race.
The first of eleven races at Freehold on Friday is scheduled for 12:30 PM EDT.