Miller’s ‘Hope’ heads into $25,000 NJSS-GA final

MANALAPAN, NJ – September 30, 2015 – There is no morning line for a non-wagering race, but likely the harness racing favorite in the $25,000 New Jersey – Green Acres Final for two-year-old trotting fillies on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Freehold Raceway is Southwind Hope.

The daughter of Muscle Hill has won two of the three preliminary legs of her Green Acres division and has finished in-the-money in five of seven starts, earning $14,350. 

Trainer Julie Miller picked the filly up at the Lexington Selected Sale for $52,000.

“She looked correct and in our price range,” Miller explained.  “She trained down very nice.  Unfortunately, she battled sickness over the summer.  She is a solid trotter and seems to be getting more confident.  Hopefully, she will be able to step up in open company.”

First Southwind Hope will take on Casino Cutie It [Muscles Yankee], Cree [Muscle Hill], Jazebel De Vie [Muscles Yankee] and Heal The World [Muscle Hill] in the Green Acres Final. 

She will leave from post three in the field of five with Steve Smith in the sulky.

Southwind Hope, bred by Southwind Farm in Pennington, NJ, races in the name of the Andy Miller Stable Inc. of Millstone, NJ; Little E LLC of New York, NY, and Lawrence Dumain of Pine Bush, NY.

The divisional final is the second of two non-wagering events at Freehold on Friday, with a probably post of 12:10 p.m.  The third leg of the Green Acres for three-year-old trotting fillies is set to go at 12 noon.

Carol Hodes