Play Trix On Me improved his career mark to 5-for-5 at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Sept. 13), easily taking the second leg, second division of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for two-year-old male trotters.
After sweeping his way through the Sire Stakes series at the Meadowlands over the summer, Play Trix On Me was sent off as the 1/5 favourite here. He went to the lead early, setting comfortable fractions of 30.1 and 1:00.2. Heading up the backstretch for the final time, Barley, winner of the first leg of the series last week, gave him a stiff first-over challenge. However, Play Trix On Me never wilted, holding him off down the stretch to win by a half-length. The winner covered the mile in 2:00.3.
Play Trix On Me is owned by Renee Spahr, trained by Linda Toscano, and driven by Jordan Stratton. He paid $2.40 to win and $2.10 to place, with no show wagering offered.
Earlier in the day, the first division of the leg was contested as a non-betting exhibition. Kyrie Deo prevailed, recovering from a break at the three-quarter point to win going away. He's owned by Harmony Oaks Racing, David J. Miller, and James Crawford, trained by John Butenschoen, and driven by Atlee Bender. He stopped the clock in 2:04.4 for a mile.
Live harness racing continues at Freehold on Saturday, with a first post time of 12:30 PM EDT. The card is headlined by the Renaissance Pace for two-year-old male pacers, as well as the NJSS Final for two-year-old filly pacers.
(Freehold)