Millionairess Costa Rica drew off to a four-length victory on Friday at Freehold Raceway in the Helen Smith Trot, thus adding the $70,000 stakes event to her list of

credits.

The daughter of Muscles Yankee, driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Jimmy Takter, took the lead early and retained it at every call to finish four lengths ahead of Kitefin Hanover and four and one quarter lengths in front of Raysofgrace De Vie, who was third.

Costa Rica, who dominated her New Jersey Sire Stakes division at two, captured the dash in a time of 1:57.1, well off the stakes record of 1:56.3 put in by Muscle Shirt in 2008.

Costa Rica finished in the top three in 15 of 16 starts at two. Her 10 victories in 2009 included the New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals at both Freehold and the Meadowlands as well as the Goldsmith Maid and Peaceful Way Stakes, both at Mohawk Racetrack, and the Matron Stakes at Dover Downs.

The victory in the Helen Smith was the second win of the year for Costa Rica, who has finished in-the-money in four of seven starts for owners Christina Takter of East Windsor, NJ and Toronto-based brothers John and Jim Fielding.

Costa Rica returned $3.20, $2.80, $4.00. Kitefin Hanover paid $15.20, $5.20, and Raysofgrace De Vie returned $9.20 to show.

The Helen Smith is restricted to New Jersey-sired sophomore trotting fillies and is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ).

Originally raced as the Charles I. Smith Filly Trot, this stakes was renamed in 1995 to honour Smith’s wife, Helen. Charles I. Smith was a New Jersey harness racing pioneer, founder of the New Jersey Sire Stakes program and owner of trotters. Mrs. Smith was an active in the SBOANJ for years and named an honorary member in 1992. She died in 1994 at the age of 90.

(SBOANJ)