Stakes, Amateurs, and Italian-American Race at Freehold on Saturday 10/7 - Recap

Saturday, October 7, 2023

By Katie Eick

A combination of New Jersey Sire Stakes, Amateur racing, and an Italian-American drivers race made for an exciting Saturday at Freehold Raceway.

The third race kicked off the NJSS action as the first of two divisions of Leg 1 of the Standardbred Development Fund two year old filly pace. Jason Bartlett steered Mike Hall trainee, Pulp Fiction, from post 3 to victory for Let It Ride Stables Inc and Bottom Line Racing LLC. The Bettor’s Wish filly went straight to the lead and no one was able catch the 1-5 favorite as she paced the mile in 1:56.4 uncontended. Jason Bartlett went on to win two more races with On Accident (race four) and El Le Tissier N in the Preferred Handicap (race 10) for a driving triple.

The duo of Let it Ride Stables and Bottom Line Racing were victorious again in race five, the second division of the two year old filly pace as Odds On Steno scored with Jordan Stratton in the bike from post 2 at 1-2. The filly settled into the three-hole after the first turn where she sat until the half. She then battled Celcius (7) and Jim King Solomon for the lead from first over. Once the Bettor’s Wish filly cleared, Stratton never looked back and steered her to victory in 1:58.3.

The $70,000 Standardbred Development Fund final for three year old colt pacers in race eight was won by 26 year old Jonathan Ahle from post 1 with Stay Grounded. Ahle piloted the Stay Hungry colt straight to the lead and put up fractions of 27.1, 56.1, 1:25.1. Taste of Honey (6) and Jordan Stratton rallied late but were no match for 2-5 favorite, Stay Grounded, who completed the mile in 1:54.1. Stay Grounded is trained by Noel Daley. Partial owners Tom and Barbara Matthews are very fond of the colt as he is the only living foal out of the late mare, Radar Contact, who was very special to them. Barbara said, “He was very difficult as a two year old. The mare that he was out of was extremely difficult too. He’s very special, we’re thrilled.”

The fun continued in race 9 when John Calabrese won the Italian-American drivers race where amateur drivers and ‘A’ drivers of Italian descent battled in this themed race. The drivers were randomly assigned to the horses. Calabrese scored with Pictonian Thunder for trainer Izzy Estrada in 1:58.3. Calabrese went on to win an amateur trot with Allindotime in race thirteen for a driving double.

Race eleven was another amateur trot that was won by My Big Kadillac. It was the 200^th lifetime start for the 9 year old gelding by Kadabra and he made it a memorable one for owner/trainer/driver Mike Polansky.