Track record for Earthwindfire at Freehold

After a long early speed duel through the first half mile, Earthwindfire (American Ideal) was able to pull away from the field and score a harness racing track record in winning the $70,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund Final Saturday (Oct. 22) at Freehold Raceway.

The 8^th race final was for two-year-old pacing fillies and first out of the gate was Lisa Lane and driver Patrick Ryder, but also leaving was Earthwindfire and driver Jack Pelling.

With Lisa Lane on the rail, Earthwindfire was parked first-over from the start but had the lead on the outside by the first quarter in :27.4. Lisa Lane would not allow Earthwindfire to cross over and parked the race favorite through the half mile in :56.4. Meanwhile, Showmemagic (Steve Smith) was sitting in third place two and half lengths back of the two dueling fillies.

The brawl for the lead finally came to an end as Earthwindfire put away Lisa Lane in the backstretch and started to open up on the field by the three-quarters in 1:25.2 and began to pour it on, leading by six and three-quarter lengths at the top of the stretch.

Then with another burst of speed, Earthwindfire blew away the field, winning in a romp by ten and three-quarter lengths in 1:53.4. Two Pistol Annie (Corey Callahan) closed to be second with Queen Sun Ryser (Troy Beyer) third.

EARTHWINDFIRE REPLAY

The time of the mile, 1:53.4, was nearly a full second off the previous track record for two-year-old pacing fillies of 1:54.3 that was co-held by Darlin’s Delight (2005), I Kill Time (2010) and Podium Girl (2020).

For Earthwindfire, it was her third straight win and fifth win in eight lifetime starts. She is trained by Noel Pelling for co-owners Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Tulip Racing. She was bred by Stephen Dey, III and paid $2.80 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink