On paper, Play Trix on Me and Common Sense S looked much the best in their respective NJSS-SDF finals for two-year-old trotters on Friday at Freehold Raceway. In reality, however, things played out much differently.
Kyrie Deo stunned the field in the two-year-old colts & geldings final, winning by 2-1/4 lengths at 21/1. The winner of a division of the second leg last week, he got a ground-saving trip, rating in the three-hole behind early leaders Light Blue Movers and Barley. Nearing the three-quarter point, driver Atlee Bender angled him out for a first-over move. Kyrie Deo was able to sustain that rally, and got by Light Blue Movers in the stretch to win. He went in 1:59.2 for the mile for trainer John Butenschoen.
Play Trix On Me, who went off at 1/5 despite post position eight, was in fourth early, got parked near the half-mile point, and failed to get a rally going. He finished fourth, beaten four lengths.
In the two-year-old filly final, the complexion dramatically changed on the first turn, when 4/5 favourite Common Sense S went off stride. She quickly recovered and made up lots of ground up the backstretch the first time, before breaking again nearing the half. Although she behaved herself the rest of the way, it proved to be too late, and she ended up fifth.
Meanwhile, Tricky Sister sat a perfect trip in the pocket off early leader Heart N Soul Deo. On the final turn, driver Dan Dube angled Tricky Sister out for clear sailing, and she rolled on by for an easy 4 1/4 length win in 1:59.3.
This was the first win in nine starts for the Robert Key-owned filly, who is trained by Andrew Harris. Last week, she was second in the second leg of the series behind Common Sense S, but had no problem turning the tables here. She paid $12.40.
Live harness racing resumes on Saturday at Freehold, with a first post time of 12:30 PM EDT. It's Open Space Pace day, with a 13-race card headlined by Renaissance eliminations for three-year-old pacing fillies, two divisions of NJSS-SDF action for pacers, the Homegrown for three-year-old male pacers, and a $20,000 NJSBOA/Trotpac sponsored open pace. There will also be a carryover in the Pick 5, worth $1,085. The sequence starts in Race 5.
(Freehold)