This week, Freehold Raceway hosted four New Jersey Futurity races for two and three-year-old pacers and trotters.
The first of the four New Jersey Futurity races took place on Thursday (Oct. 13) for three-year-old trotters with a purse of $22,000. Dominion Beach, with driver Marcus Johansson moved to take the lead from Inukchuck Chuck just past the half-mile mark to win in 1:57.3. Inukchuck Chuck finished second while Heal The World came in third.
This marks win number six with earnings over $170,000 lifetime for the Nancy Johansson trainee. Ernst Gerbaulet bred the Muscle Hill colt.
Friday (Oct. 14) continued New Jersey Futurity action with the two-year-old trotters battling for a $23,500 purse. Andy Miller sent Southwind Prius to the front from post position three only to relinquish the lead at the head of the stretch eventually finishing third. Joe Bongiorno guided Southwind Woody around some road trouble to win in 1:59.1, holding off a late surge from Romancing Rachel.
The Muscle Hill-Winkys Star colt was bred by Southwind Farm and notched his first lifetime win.
The conclusion of the racing week held two races for pacers on Saturday (Oct. 15). The first of the two was the third race of the day. The $20,300 New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old pacers was won by the favourite Every Way Out. Driven by Tim Tetrick, Every Way Out wired the field from the rail position in 1:55.1. The only mare in the race, Misqued, out-paced the other colts to finish second. Notenough For Me finished third.
This win pushed the If I Can Dream-Every Play colt’s earnings to $181,805. Bulletproof Enterprises bred Every Way Out.
In the seventh race, another favourite, Boston Red Rocks dominated the $26,000 three-year-old pacer division. Tim Tetrick coasted the Steve Elliott trainee to the wire in 1:53.4.
Bred by Andray Farms, the Rocknroll Hanover colt boosted his lifetime earnings to $988,588.
Freehold Raceway also honoured long-time paddock judge Mike Fuschini in the eighth race on Saturday. Drivers, trainers, and grooms joined Fuschini's family in the winner's circle to commemorate the loss of an amazing individual. He will be missed by everyone whose life he touched.
(With files from SBOANJ)