$70,000 NJSS Final won in wire-to-wire fashion

A combination of New Jersey Sire Stakes, Amateur harness racing, and an Italian-American drivers race made for an exciting Saturday (Oct. 7) 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 (Bettor’s Wish), from post 3 to victory for Let It Ride Stables Inc and Bottom Line Racing LLC. The 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.

PULP FICTION REPLAY

Jason Bartlett went on to win two more races with On Accident (Well Said, race four) and El Le Tissier N (American Ideal) 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 (Bettor’s Wish) 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 filly cleared, Stratton never looked back and steered her to victory in 1:58.3.

ODDS ON STENO REPLAY

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 (Stay Hungry). Ahle piloted the 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.”

STAY GROUNDED REPLAY

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 (Rollwithitharry) for trainer Izzy Estrada in 1:58.3. Calabrese went on to win an amateur trot with Allindotime (Andover Hall) in race thirteen for a driving double.

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

Freehold Raceway returns with more racing and more New Jersey sire stakes next week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the final time before resuming to Fridays and Saturdays only for the rest of 2023. Post time is 12:30pm.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Katie Eick, for Freehold Raceway