Aunt Mel extended her winning streak to three with a victory in the $45,000 New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old trotters on Friday, October 5 at Freehold Raceway.

The New Jersey Futurity, restricted to New Jersey-sired horses, is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey. The open division for sophomore trotters drew five geldings and four fillies in the fourth race feature.

The daughter of Yankee Glide--Kimmie Hall posted her eighth win of the year in 18 starts and 10th in 31 career outings.

Aunt Mel, driven by Steve Smith and trained by Erv Miller, trotted the mile in 1:57.3 and finished a length and three-quarters ahead of Chocolatta De Vie by Chocolatier. The pacesetter, Flower Bouquet by Muscles Yankee, held on for third, two lengths back.

The richest participant in the race, Aunt Mel tacked on $22,500 for a career total of $257,845 for owner Mary Jane Anderson of Long Grove, Illinois.

This year the filly has eight wins, two seconds and two thirds from 18 starts and surpassed $110,000 in earnings.

Later on the card, Vida De Vie scored a half-length victory in the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes-Green Acres Final for two-year-old trotting fillies.

The Chris Ryder trainee picked up her third win of the year, finishing in-the-money in six of 12 starts. She trotted the mile in 2:02 flat.

Daniel Dube was in the sulky for the victory as Vida De Vie caught Connie Keeper at the top of the stretch and held on for a one-two finish for the daughters of Muscles Yankee. Partys On, by Chocolatier, was two lengths back in third.

Vida De Vie has now banked $42,129 for owner-breeder Joie De Vie Farm LLC of Jobstown, New Jersey.

The $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes-Green Acres Final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will be contested as a non-wagering race on Saturday’s card. The field of six includes Mortal Zin, by Rocknroll Hanover, who won the first two preliminary legs of the NJSS, and Divulge, by Tell All, who won the third leg. Saturday’s program also includes two $7,000 third leg splits of the New Jersey Sire Stakes-Green Acres for two-year-old pacing colts, one off the betting program and the other carded as the 11th race.

(SBOANJ)