Going into the New Jersey Sire Stakes - Standardbred Development Fund finals for two-year-old trotters at Freehold Raceway on Friday (October 9), Ake Svanstedt looked loaded for bear. He had five horses between the two races: three males and two fillies. He won one final, and just missed winning the other.
In the final for colts and geldings, Svanstedt's Calle Palema prevailed by three lengths. He went to the lead early on, and encountered no serious challenges. Torrey Pines sat in the pocket the whole way, but as they went past three-quarters, Calle Palema pulled away. He coasted under the wire in 1:58, for owner Bender Sweden Inc and driver Steve Smith. That's his second career win, both of which have come in the NJSS-SDF series. Svanstedt also sent out fourth-place finisher Swan By Land and seventh-place finisher Capital T Storm.
Earlier in the day, Svanstedt finished second by a head with Illuminata, losing to Trond Smedshammer-trained Duchesspedia. Smedshammer put his filly in the pocket early, allowing Illuminata to set the tempo. As they turned for home, Duchesspedia came towards the outside, and loomed large over Illuminata. They hit the line together, with Ducesspedia getting the nod in 1:58. The winner is owned by Purple Haze Stables.
Live harness racing continues at Freehold on Saturday (October 10), starting at 12:30 p.m. There is a carryover in the pick 5, worth $702.05.
(Freehold)