Filly Upends Colts in $90,000 Harold Dancer
Lunar Dream OM, the only filly in Freehold Raceway's eight-horse, $90,000 Harold Dancer final, captured the Open event Wednesday afternoon in a time of 2:00.1 for trainer Jan Johnson and driver Jim Pantaleano.
The Muscles Yankee filly, who turned in a maiden-breaking effort, is the first female performer to win the open division for New Jersey-bred two-year-old trotters.
Lunar Dream OM took the lead at the half and drew off to a three and a half-length tally.
Yankee Gospel, who had defeated Lunar Dream OM by a neck in one of last week's Harold Dancer elimination races, finished second. The gelded son of Muscles Yankee, coupled in the wagering with Wind Surfer, was sent off as the 2-5 favourite.
Appalach Dream, who is by Yankee Glide, was third by nine and a quarter lengths.
The stakes record at Freehold of 1:59.1 was set in 2005 by Keystone Savage. When the race was contested over a mile track (1985 through 2000), the mark of 1:57.1 was established by Lindy Lane in 1995 at Garden State Park.
(SBOA of New Jersey)