Freehold Raceway hosted a pair of stakes for two-year-old pacers on Saturday (September 14), the $87,000 Renaissance Pace, for two-year-old males, and the final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund Pace for two-year-old fillies.
Columbo won the Renaissance, prevailing by a length in 1:55.1. Sent off as the second choice in the field of six, driver Jordan Stratton put him on a clear early lead, rolling through a strong opening quarter of :27.4, and a half of :56.4. Follow Your Heart attempted a first over move at the half, but could not get anything going and wilted by the three-quarter point. Favoured Rockin The Gates made a three-wide brush at three-quarters, as did Paddy All Day, but Columbo stood strong and held on.
This is Columbo's second career stakes win, adding on to a win in the Sheppard at Yonkers Raceway in July. He gives trainer Linda Toscano and driver Stratton their second stakes win at Freehold of the week, as they won a leg of NJSS action with Play Trix On Me on Friday. Kenneth Jacobs owns the winner.
In the NJSS-SDF Final, Lucy Lightyear proved her upset win from last week was no fluke, winning by a head in 1:57. Adopting the same strategy that won her the second leg of the series, driver Stacy Chiodo put her horse right on the lead. Favoured Caviart Heather made a first-over move at the half, and drew up to the leader's flank as they rounded the final turn. However, Lucy Lightyear dug in and held on, holding off not only Caviart Heather, but the frantic late rally of ground-saving Ready Set Rock.
Stacy Chiodo trains and drives the winner for owner Timothy Tobias. The filly has won two races from eight career starts, and tripled her lifetime earnings today, to almost $48,000.
Live harness racing resumes at Freehold on Friday (Sept. 20), with a first post time of 12:30 PM EDT.
(Freehold)