Ever since coming to Freehold Raceway, Lucius Vorenus has excelled over the half-mile oval. He continued his winning ways on Friday (November 15), as he took the final of the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners Association of New Jersey trotting series.
Sent off as the even-money favourite, he was put right on the lead by driver Jason Bartlett. French Cafe, the clear-cut second choice, drafted in the pocket, but Lucius Vorenus was still able to set steady fractions of :28.4 for a quarter and :59 for a half. Nearing three-quarters, Lucius Vorenus began to pull away, as he set the fraction in a slow 1:28.2. French Cafe had to settle for second, as Lucius Vorenus cruised under the wire in 1:56.3.
This is the third win in the last four starts for the Crawford Farms-owned gelding, who is sired by Father Patrick and trained by Nick Surick. He won the Garden State Trot for colts & geldings in his Freehold debut on October 26, then added a win and a runner-up in the first two legs of the series. He's now earned $109,655 in his career; $74,375 of that total has come in his last four races.
Live harness racing continues at Freehold on Saturday, with a scheduled first post time of 12:30 p.m.