Three $50,000 New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund finals were held at Freehold Raceway this past weekend.
Apollos Creed kicked off the sire stakes action, as he captured the NJSDF final for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. Andy Miller sent the Erv Miller trainee to the front from Post 3 and led at every call before stopping the clock in 1:58.2. The victory was the fifth lifetime win for the son of Muscle Hill. The win boosted Apollos Creed’s earnings to $55,840 for owners Ron Michelon, Daniel Plouffe and J&T Silva Stables LLC. U Need Stones finished second and Allindotime finished third.
The second NJSDF final held on Friday was for three-year-old filly trotters. Take A Wish trained by Dawn Anderson won in similar fashion to the colts. Driver Steve Smith left from the three hole and lead every step of the way in the 1:59 win. The Wishing Stone filly has now recorded two career wins. She has earned $81,845 for her New Jersey-based owners Dawn Anderson and Mark Schollstrom. Diamondstone Us finished second and Chapreress finished third.
On Saturday, Thor De Vie took the NJSDF final for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. Jason Bartlett drove the odds-on favourite to the winner’s circle in 1:55.3 for trainer Ed Hart. The victory marked the 12th win of the So Surreal gelding’s career. Iluvtomakemoney finished second and Fordham Sixty Two finished third.
Freehold will resume live racing this coming Friday (Oct. 26) and will feature the New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old trotters. First-race post time will be at 12:30 p.m.
(With files from the SBOANJ)