Ideal Helen ($9.40) bested a field of eight colts and one other filly to take the $42,100 New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old pacers on Saturday, September 14 at Freehold Raceway.

The daughter of Western Ideal, driven by Andy Miller and trained by Erv Miller, paced the mile in 1:57.2, finishing a half-length in front of Frankandjoanne. Odds-on favourite Gold Rocks, who had a two-race winning streak stopped, was a length and a half back in third. The second and third-place finishers are both by Rocknroll Hanover.

Ideal Helen, who started in the second tier in the 10-horse field, improved her record to four wins and two seconds in nine starts. Her victories included the Review Stakes at Springfield, Illinois and the $61,900 Lou Babic Filly last week at Freehold.

The winner’s share improved Ideal Helen’s earnings to $93,430 for owner-breeder Don R. Van Witzenburg of Crest Hill, Illinois.

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

Earlier in the day, Rockaholic (by Rocknroll Hanover) won a $7,000 second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, a non-wagering event.

Driven by Eric Abbatiello and trained by Yogi Sheridan, Rockaholic prevailed by a neck over Sky Is The Limit (by Western Ideal). Always There (by Western Ideal) was third by six and a quarter lengths.

Rockaholic pushed his career earnings over $50,000 with his fifth career victory for Joseph Zicchino of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The gelding has finished in the money in 13 of 30 career starts.

(SBOANJ)