Native Yankee and Swift Kid both delivered for trainer Ray Remmen at Freehold Raceway on Wednesday as they took the two $10,000 New Jersey Green Acres divisions for sophomore trotting colts and geldings.
In the opening tilt, Native Yankee yielded the early lead for driver Jeff Gregory, but was soon out and taking back command from Yankee Gospel (Jim Meittinis) after a :29.1 opening quarter. Once on the lead, the Yankee Glide – Native America colt trotted through panels of :59.2 and 1:28.4 en route to the four and three-quarter length decision in 1:58.3.
Hes All Fired Up (Dave Miller) made an early miscue, but recovered nicely to finish second while Bandini (Jack Baggitt Jr.) completed the top three.
Native Yankee, who is owned by Joseph Jannuzzelli and conditioned by Ray Remmen, is three-for-11 this season with earnings of $31,749.
Swift Kid stole pedestrian fractions in the second split to score his third straight victory for Remmen and driver Steve Smith. The Yankee Glide – Swift Kid Hanover gelding played give-and-go early with Carrythemail Devie (Dave Miller) before taking charge following a :30 quarter.
Smith slowed down the tempo with Swift Kid, who cruised through stanzas of 1:01.4 and 1:33, and then trotted swiftly home in :28.3 to post a convincing two and three-quarter length triumph in 2:01.3. Carrythemail Devie was second and Ocean Front (Jimmy Takter) finished third.
John Litchenberger holds the ownership papers on Swift Kid, who is 4-3-3 in 14 lifetime attempts, banking $28,600.
To view Freehold’s results from the USTA, click here.