JMs Finaltreasure was expected to dominate the New Jersey Sire Stakes - Standardbred Development Fund final for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (October 16). He did just that, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.4.
Leaving from post position four in a field of six, Joe Bongiorno wasted little time and put his drive right on the early lead. He paced the opening quarter in :27.4 seconds, then slowed things down for a first half-mile in :58.
As they moved to three-quarters, Camouflage Money, who won the first leg, made a first-over move to the lead. Shakertown, who was in the pocket, loomed just off the leader on the inside. However, JMs Finaltreasure held them all at bay, and cruised under the wire easily. Shakertown held on for second.
JMs Finaltreasure is owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva- Purnel &Libby, and Phillip Collura, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Joe Bongiorno. He's won six races from 12 starts lifetime, with earnings of almost $240,000.
Earlier in the day, a field of six competed in the second leg of the NJSS-SDF for two-year-old filly pacers. Counterparty Risk went gate-to-wire for the victory, pacing the mile in 1:56. Vinny Ginsburg has the winning drive for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc and Bottom Line Racing LLC and trainer Tony Alagna.
Live harness racing at Freehold resumes next Friday (October 22) starting at about 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold)