Little Michael B made use of the passing lane to overtake the pace-setter All Stienam and win the $104,500 Louis Babic Memorial Open for two-year-old New Jersey-sired pacers by a neck
in 1:56.3 Saturday (September 10) at Freehold Raceway.
In the companion $60,500 Babic Filly Final, Clear View Hanover won in 1:57.1 with Hall of Famer Catello (Cat) Manzi driving. The races are sponsored by the New Jersey Sire Stakes Program in the State Department of Agriculture and named for a founder of the state-bred program.
With Daniel Dube driving, Little Michael B sat behind All Stienam as he led from the start and set fractions of 28, 57.2 and 1:26.3. Throughout the race, All Stienam put away two challenges, first by Bullet Bob at the quarter-mile mark and then by Verdad at the three-quarter pole.
It was the second victory in only three lifetime starts for the Josh Green-trained colt. With the victory, Little Michael B has now earned $58,700 in his young racing career for the VIP Internet Stable and the Baron Racing Stable. VIP Internet was also co-owner of the runner-up All Stienam, trained by John Butenschoen for VIP, Gary Bury and William Wiswell. Verdad finished third.
Clear View Hanover closed strongly in the stretch to win by a length and half over My Ideal Hanover, who was also closing. The pace-setting My Deal faded to third in the stretch after setting fractions of 28.1, 58.3 and 1:27.2.
It was the second win in six starts for Clear View Hanover, trained by Abe Stoltzfus for owner Ernest Hartman. The filly has now earned $38,110 in her brief harness racing career.
(NJSS)