BCs Capela lit up the toteboard with an 84-1 upset victory in the $81,081 Renaissance Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Freehold Raceway.

After the 1-5 favourite Dandy Ideal broke in the first turn and scattered the field, it left opportunity for an underdog to score. When the dust settled, driver Troy Beyer and BCs Capela found themselves fourth on the rail. The field tightened up and the pair sat patiently until the third turn where they pulled to begin the trek to the front first-over. They captured the lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.2. Though tiring, the leading Floor It Freddie didn’t back down and left them parked through the final turn. BCs Capela paced forward from there and held off a late-charging Xpert to win it in 1:55.3 by half a length. Floor It Freddie held on for third more than three lengths behind.

The winning Wayne Givens trainee was the longest shot on the board and bettors who saw his potential with two previous wins on half-mile tracks cashed $171.40 for a $2 win ticket. Xpert, at long odds of 44-1, completed a $1 exacta worth a whopping $963.

A son of Lazarus N out of the Sportswriter mare Capela, BCs Capela is owned and was bred by Legacy Racing Of De Inc. and Reginald Hazzard II. The victory boosted his bankroll to $55,694 and improved his lifetime record to 3-1-0 from five starts. 

The same connections teamed up earlier in the day to win the first $40,541 split of the Homegrown for three-year-old colt pacers with another son of Lazarus N as Mr Three O Five scored in 1:54.3 at 8-1 odds, returning $19 to his backers.

New Jersey Sires Stakes and New Jersey Classic champion Arbitrage Hanover was a popular winner in the other division in 1:55 flat with Jim Marohn Jr. driving the Bettors Wish gelding for trainer Brett Pelling and owners Pelling Racing, Rojan Stables and Bridle Path Stables.

(With files from Freehold Raceway)