New Jersey Sire Stakes featured at Freehold

Freehold Raceway was back in action with New Jersey Sire Stakes on Saturday afternoon. The $25,000 NJSS Green Acres Final for three-year-old colt pacers was held as a non-wagering race before the harness racing card. Two divisions of the newest NJSS races were held during the card, the second leg of the $10,000 Standardbred Development Fund for two-year-old pacers.

Austin Rocks with driver Eric Abbatiello left the gate from the rail position and held off a quarter move from Perchance To Dream to get the win in 1:59.1. Rock N Roll Style was second while Perchance To Dream held on for third. The Rocknroll Hanover colt picked up his first lifetime win in the $25,000 final. Kerry Feyker-Weed and M Kenneth Weed of Egg Harbor Township, NJ bred the Stacy Chiodo trainee.

The third race was the NJSS Standardbred Development Fund for two-year-old colt pacers; Deo Galileo, trained by Rick McNair, upset the 1-9 favorite Everyway Out. Driver Jeff Gregory avoided two breakers to brush to the lead just before the quarter. Down the stretch Deo Galileo held off a late surge by Sir Pugsley stopping the clock in 1:57.4, Firefox Hanover finished the trifecta. The If I Can Dream colt notched win number two in eight starts for the season, bred by MJG Racing Stables Inc and Louis A Willinger.

The filly division of the Standardbred Development Fund had another upset. Steve Smith guided Misqued to take the lead from the 2-5 favorite Designated Drinker just before the half. Drawing away from the field the John Balzer trainee cruised to a four-length win in 1:57.3. Designated Drinker and Rita Maid rounded out the trifecta for the eighth race. The If I Can Dream filly remains undefeated in both legs of the Standardbred Development Fund stakes, bred by Steve Stewart.

Live racing a Freehold will resume on Thursday October 6th with a post time of 12:30 pm.

Courtney Stafford