History was made at Freehold Raceway on Saturday, as Podium Girl wrapped up the New Jersey Sire Stakes - Standardbred Development Fund series with a bang. She won the final for two-year-old pacing fillies in 1:54.3, equalling the track record.
Off an impressive win in the first leg of the series two weeks ago, she was sent off as the 1/5 favourite in the field of eight. Driver George Brennan had him in the pocket early on, off In High Cotton, but soon moved her to the front and got her to the lead at the half. She maintained a comfortable lead going by three-quarters, and pulled away in the stretch to win by 3-1/2 lengths.
Podium Girl's win marks the third time a two-year-old filly has paced in 1:54.3 at Freehold. The mark was first set by Darlins Delight, who won the Molly Pitcher on August 20, 2005. It was then equaled by I Kill Time, while winning the NJSS-SDF Final on September 25, 2010.
For Podium Girl, Saturday's win marks her fifth career win from eleven starts, and pushes her career earnings past the $104,000 mark. She's owned by Henderson Farms, Robert Mondillo, and Barry Spak, and trained by Chris Ryder.
PAUL MINORE WINS AMERICAN HARNESS DRIVERS CLUB TROT AT FREEHOLD
Another $9,000 amateur trot in the American Harness Drivers Club is now in the books after “Coach Paul” Minore gunned If I Must to the lead from the five-hole and then proceeded to make every pole a winning one en route to 2-1/4 length victory in 2:00.4 over seven others at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 24).
Mugshot Jess, driven by Pearly Allen, got all the early betting money and was sent away as the 1-2 favourite but road trouble from the six-hole never allowed him to contend until it was too late.
After he grabbed the lead in a soft :30.2 first quarter, Minore tapped the breaks and led Fiji (Dave Offenberg) by the first stanza and they were one-two by the half in 1:01.2 while Mugshot Jess was stalled by breaking horses on the first turn.
A lazy Tough Get Going (Joe Faraldo) who was in third place behind the leaders early, had trouble chasing the top two and in doing so it kept the trailers from a clear shot at the leaders.
It was still If I Must and Fiji showing the way as the field rounded the final turn and in the lane the former opened daylight on the latter and coasted to an easy victory. Mugshot Jess finally shook free but too late to do any damage to the leaders and had to settle for third money.
If I Must, a five-year-old altered son of Muscles Yankee, is owned by his driver and trained by Taylor Gower. He was sent off as third choice in the contest and returned a $14.70 win mutuel.
Live harness racing resumes at Freehold Raceway on Friday, October 30, starting at 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold / AHDC)