Silver Credit scored a length and three-quarters victory in the $40,000 Helen Smith Trot for three-year-old fillies, setting a stakes record 1:56.2, on Friday, September 6 at Freehold Raceway.
It was the second straight win for the gray daughter of Muscles Yankee and her third win in 12 starts this year.
The 1:56.2 clocking was a fifth of a second off the previous mark shared by Muscle Shirt (2008) and Chilitodayhotamale (2012).
Silver Credit, the 4-5 favourite, challenged for the lead at the top of the stretch the first time around the half-mile track and repelled a challenge in the homestretch from Time To Kill for the victory. It was six lengths back to Vintage Oaks in third.
All three top finishers in the third race are daughters of Muscles Yankee.
Cat Manzi drove Silver Credit prior to suffering injuries in an accident in the following race. She is trained by Randy Beeckman and owned by Miller’s Stable Inc. of Leburn, KY. Silver Credit has a career total of six wins, five seconds and three thirds from 21 starts and a bankroll of $96,162.
Manzi also won the Helen Smith in 2005 with Ticket To Glide and in 2008 with Muscle Shirt.
Earlier in the day, in a non-wagering event, Chocolate Crisp, by Chocolatiera was a four and a half length winner of the $56,525 Marion Dancer Trot for two-year-old fillies, extending her winning streak to four.
Cee Bee Yes, by Muscles Yankee, edged out Shelikescandy, by Chocolatier, for second.
Chocolate Crisp, driven by Tim Tetrick and trained by Linda Toscano, trotted the mile in two minutes flat.
The Enviro Stables LTD of South Hampton, NY owns Chocolate Crisp, who has four wins and a third in seven career starts and earnings in excess of $53,000.
Toscano conditioned two previous Marion Dancer winners, Lindys Two Step in 2009 and Southwind Cocoa in 2012. It was the first Marion Dancer win for Tetrick.
Both stakes are for New Jersey-sired trotters and are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
(With files from SBOANJ)