Gate-to-wire victory in $56,000 NJSS Final

Freehold, NJ — JM’s Finaltreasure was expected to dominate the $56,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes- Standardbred Development Fund final for 2-year-old colt and gelding harness racing pacers at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (October 16). He did just that, winning by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:53 4/5.

Leaving from post position four in a field of six, Joe Bongiorno wasted little time and putting JM’s Finaltreasure  right on the early lead. He paced the opening quarter in 27 4/5 seconds, then slowed things down for a first half-mile in 58 seconds.

As they moved to three-quarters, Camouflage Money, who won the first leg, made a first-over move to the lead. Shakertown, who was in the pocket, loomed just off the leader on the inside. However, JM’s Finaltreasure held them all at bay, and cruised under the wire easily. Shakertown held on for second.

JM’s Finaltreasure, a two-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou,  is owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva- Purnel &Libby, and Phillip Collura, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Joe Bongiorno. He’s won six races from twelve starts lifetime, with earnings of almost $240,000.

Earlier in the day, a field of six  competed in the $10,000 second leg of the NJSS-SDF for 2-year-old filly pacers. Counterparty Risk (Captaintreacherous) went gate-to-wire for the victory, pacing the mile in 1:56. Vinny Ginsburg has the winning drive for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc and Bottom Line Racing LLC and trainer Tony Alagna.

Live racing at Freehold resumes next Friday (October 22) starting at about 12:30 PM.