Top-ranked mare defends FanDuel Distaff title

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Chris Ryder entered the 2024 harness racing season with high expectations for Twin B Joe Fresh (Roll With Joe-Fresh Breeze). After watching his 4-year-old mare close out her campaign Saturday (Nov. 30) with a win in the $150,000 FanDuel Championship for female pacers at the Meadowlands, the trainer acknowledged that harness racing’s No. 1-ranked horse had met them all.

Twin B Joe Fresh, who last year became the first 3-year-old filly to beat the mares in the FanDuel Championship, on Saturday became the event’s first two-time winner when she defeated My Girl EJ by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:49.1 at the Big M. Valar Dohaeris was third.

The victory was Twin B Joe Fresh’s 11th in 13 starts this year, with her setbacks both being second-place finishes, in a conditioned race against male rivals to open her campaign and in her elimination of the Breeders Crown last month at the Meadowlands. She came back a week later to win the Breeders Crown final, one of 10 Grand Circuit victories for the filly this season.

When asked what kind of year he expected for Twin B Joe Fresh, Ryder responded, “Just like this, to be honest.

“She had a great year last year, she finished off last year winning this race as a 3-year-old against the aged horses, so the expectations were high. She’s filled them out.”

In the FanDuel Championship, My Girl EJ, one of two 3-year-olds in the race, led the field to the opening quarter in :27 and remained in front through a half in :54.2 and three-quarters in 1:21.4.

Twin B Joe Fresh and driver Dexter Dunn were fourth at that point but had picked up cover from the first-over Grace Hill while pacing around the final turn. Dunn angled Twin B Joe Fresh three-wide entering the stretch and came home with a :27 final quarter to secure the win.

“Grace Hill and My Girl EJ deserved a lot of respect, they’ve done a lot, but we got there,” Ryder said. “(Twin B Joe Fresh) has just got a good set of lungs, she’s got high speed, and she’s gotten stronger as she got older. She can pace home strong. That’s her forte.”

TWIN B JOE FRESH REPLAY

Twin B Joe Fresh is owned by Ryder, Dunn, Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak. She was bred by Brittany Farms.

For her career, Twin B Joe Fresh has won 30 of 40 races, hit the board eight additional times, and earned $2.33 million (with nearly $900,000 this year).

Ryder said Twin B Joe Fresh would return to race in 2025.

“We expect to race her next year, absolutely,” said Ryder, who was elected to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame earlier this year. “We’re sure we will, as long as she’s healthy.

“What can I say? We’ve got to try to do the same again (next year). That’s a big task, but we’re going to give it a shot.”

Twin B Joe Fresh has been the No. 1-ranked horse in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll for 20 consecutive weeks.

“It’s been a real thrill,” Ryder said about the mare’s season. “Thank you so much to the media and all the fans. Everyone has had nothing but great things to say about her and, believe me, it’s definitely appreciated.”

As the overwhelming 1-20 favorite, Twin B Joe Fresh paid $2.10 to win.

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

by Ken Weingartner, for The Meadowlands