Avenue Hanover captured the $45,000 New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old pacers and a Ron Burke-trained duo swept a pair of two-year-old divisions on Saturday, October 15 at Freehold Raceway

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Yannick Gingras handled the driving assignments for both Burke trainees as 21-1 Mortal Zin (by Rocknroll Hanover) won the $28,000 New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old pacers in the first race and his stablemate, betting favourite Verdad (by Western Ideal), breezed in the $29,000 second division, the eighth race.

Mortal Zin paced a lifetime best 1:54.2 in his one-length tally over Divulge (by Tell All). It was a length and three-quarters to Ideal Ike (by Western Ideal) in third. Odds-on favourite I Fought Dalaw faded to last in the field of five.

Mortal Zin posted his second victory and now has finished in-the-money in seven of 12 starts and pushed his earnings to $53,340 for the partnership of the Burke Racing Stable LLC of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania; Weaver Bruscemi LLC of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; Slaughter Racing Stable LLC of Prospect, Ketucky; and Lawrence R. Karr of Randolph, New Jersey.

Verdad had the lead at every call in recording a six and three-quarter length victory over Mikeleh. It was seven and a half lengths to Hang Ten in third. All top three finishers were by Western Ideal. The mile was timed in 1:56.2.

Verdad now has five wins, one second and three thirds from 11 starts and earnings of $75,757 for owners Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Judith Taylor of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

In the $45,000 three-year-old division, Avenue Hanover, with Daniel Dube driving, won on the front end in 1:54.4, finishing two and a half lengths ahead of Diamondonthebeach (by Cams Card Shark). It was three and three-quarter lengths back to Arockin Hanover (by Rocknroll Hanover) in third.

Mark Silva of Little Ferry, New Jersey owns and trains Avenue Hanover, who picked up his second straight win. Unraced at two, he has three wins and two seconds from 13 starts, banking $78,172.

The New Jersey Futurity stakes are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

(SBOANJ)