The first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes - Standardbred Development Fund for three-year-old filly trotters was split into two divisions on Saturday (August 29), and both divisions saw odds-on favourites get upset.
Off a sweep of the NJSS series at the Meadowlands, Odds On Sarasota was sent off as the 4-5 favourite in the first division. On the second turn, however, she went off-stride and lost all chance. That made things easier for Git Go, who sat a perfect trip in the pocket and came up the inside for the victory. She won by a half-length over Brush N Crush, going the mile in 1:57. Andy Miller was the winning driver, for trainer/co-owner Ron Coyne Jr. and owners Blair Corbeil and Edward Pachuta.
Two races later, Caviart Heather was made the 2-5 choice in the second division. She sat in the three-hole in the early stages, then was sent first-over by Jason Bartlett nearing the three-quarter point. She loomed large turning for home, but Feeling Sweet got a great pocket trip, and was able to rocket through and deny her the win by half a length. She covered the mile in 1:55.3, for George and Tina Dennis, Joe Columbo, and Mike Cole.
Live harness racing resumes on Friday (September 4), with a first post time of 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold)