New Jersey Sire Stakes – Standardbred Development Fund (NJSS-SDF) action for three-year-old trotters will continue at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Oct. 4) with the second leg of the series for male and filly trotters, respectively.
The filly division, which drew a field of four, will be contested as a non-wagering race. The race carries a scheduled post time of 12:15 p.m. (EDT). French Cafe, who drew the inside post, is the headliner of the field. She won the first two legs of the Kentucky Sire Stakes at the Red Mile earlier in the year, before finishing fourth in the final. Most recently, she was second in the Buckette at Ohio’s Delaware County Fair. Troy Beyer will drive for trainer Julie Miller. Sexy Wow, Lady Lone Star, and Taja Mahala round out the field.
The division for colts and geldings attracted a field of seven, and is scheduled as the sixth race. Lucas Wallin will be sending out two of the favourites. Sovereign Deo finished second in the New Jersey Futurity on September 20, and finished fourth in the first leg last week. He is scheduled to start from Post 3 for driver Joe Bongiorno. Cotton To You took the field gate to wire in the first leg last week and held on by a neck in 1:58. Jim Marohn Jr. has retained the drive and the duo will start from Post 5.
The biggest challengers to the Wallin duo appear to be No Drama Please and Warrior One. The former won the final of the NJSS-SDF last year as a two-year-old, and finished fourth in the Yonkers Trot earlier this year. He's set to start from Post 4 for trainer Tom Fanning. Warrior One finished third in the first leg of the series last week while racing as the favourite. He also won a leg of the NJSS-SDF last year, before finishing third in the final. The Nik Drennan trainee will start from Post 6.
Innisfallen, American Dream Boy, and Brownie complete the field.
Freehold's Friday card also features a carryover in the Pick 5, worth $605.75. The sequence will begin in Race 5 and will include the NJSS-SDF for two-year-old males. Four full fields of eight round out the wager.
Friday’s first race at Freehold is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)