It took a disqualification, but Chocolatta De Vie won the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres Championship for two-year-old trotting fillies Thursday
, October 6 at Freehold Raceway.
Chocolatta De Vie, by Chocolatier, finished second to Pittypat Hanover, who was disqualified by the judges and placed behind Chocolatta De Vie for interference just past the quarter-mile mark of the race. The 2:02.3 winning time by Pittypat Haover was disallowed due to the disqualification.
Chocolatta De Vie, driven by Steve Smith, broke stride before the start of the race and spotted the field about eight lengths. By the time the fillies reached the quarter-mile pole, Chocolatta De Vie had made up ground and trotted into fourth place. After an inquiry, the judges ruled that when Chocolatta De Vie tried to move up on the outside, Pittypat Hanover pulled out and interfered, forcing her to trot wide.
It was the third victory in five starts for Chocolatta De Vie, who was trained by Brian Roland for co-owners Anthony Risi of Christiana, Pennsylvania and Bernard O’Brien of Lecanto, Florida. The filly was bred by the Joie De Vie Farm of Jobstown, New Jersey.
Pittypat Hanover had to settle for the place spot, while Riverfest finished third.
(NJSS)