Freehold Raceway hosted a pair of stakes on Saturday (Oct. 3). One saw an upset, the other saw a winning favourite.
The first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes - Standardbred Development Fund for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers was expected to be a coronation for King James Express. Off a string of stakes wins, he was the 1/5 favourite in the field of six. However, he broke stride twice, costing him a chance at victory.
Meanwhile, second choice Captain Fancy saved ground off the leader, then got by early leader Not Today to win by 1 3/4 lengths. He avenged his defeat to King James Express in the Renaissance last week with this win. He went the mile in 1:58, for owners Vincent Ali, Alma Iafelice, and Theodore Gewertz, trainer Bill MacKenzie, and driver Dan Dube.
Later in the day, the Renaissance for two-year-old filly pacers was held. Dube was looking for a stakes sweep, driving Significant Other. He went out to a clear lead with his filly, and led turning for home at 36/1. However, favoured Podium Girl closed strongly from the back of the pack, and got up to win by three-quarters of a length. She paced the mile in 1:57.2, for her third win of her career. George Brennan was in the bike, for owners Henderson Farms, Robert Mondillo, and Barry Spak, and trainer Chris Ryder.
Live racing resumes at Freehold on Friday, with a scheduled first post time of 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold)