Verdad edged out stablemate Mortal Zin for a neck victory in the $50,000 New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old pacers on Saturday, October 13 at Freehold Raceway.
Restricted to New Jersey-sired pacers, the featured 10th race drew five geldings, two fillies and one colt. The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey sponsors the New Jersey Futurity.
The duo, both trained by Ron Burke, caught the pacesetter Little Michael B before duelling to the wire. The mile was clocked in 1:54.3. Verdad, by Western Ideal, was driven to victory by David Miller. Mortal Zin, by Rocknroll Hanover, was second and it was a length and a half to Divulge, by Tell All, in third.
It was the second straight week that Verdad prevailed over Mortal Zin, matching their finish in the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes-Green Acres Final the previous week.
Verdad, owned and bred by Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Judith Taylor of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, has five wins, two seconds and one third from 18 starts this year, adding $85,278 to a career bankroll now at $162,635. Lifetime, he has finished in-the-money in 17 of 30 starts. He also won the New Jersey Futurity as a two-year-old.
(With files from SBOANJ)