Stayin Strong, who is a winner of three straight races, has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favourite for his division of the New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old trotters, which will be contested on Friday, October 16 at Freehold Raceway.
Seven colts and geldings will vie for $16,000 on the betting program while five fillies will face off in a $15,000 non-wagering event. The New Jersey Futurity is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
Stayin Strong drew Post 7 with Julie Miller turning over the lines to Eric Abbatiello. The son of Muscles Yankee has four wins, a second and two thirds in 10 starts, banking $39,964 for Jason and Douglas Allen of Vincentown, NJ. His four wins came in a sweep of the New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres.
Taking on Stayin Strong will be Southwind Flash [Muscle Hill], George Brennan, Ron Burke, 5-1; Steed [Muscle Hill], Daniel Dube, Richard Johnson, 9-2; Threeupthreedown [Muscle Hill], Steve Smith, Erv Miller, 7-2; Luv At First Site [Muscles Yankee], Kyle DiBenedetto, Ron Coyne Jr., 12-1; Sigmund [Muscles Yankee], Don Swick, Don Swick, 30-1 and Inukchuk Chuck [Muscles Yankee], Julie Miller, Julie Miller, 5-1.
In the filly division, with 12:10 post time, the field includes Casino Cutie It [Muscles Yankee], Vincent Ginsburg, Ray Schnittker; Coco Truffles [Muscle Hill], David Miller, Chuck Sylvester; Cree [Muscle Hill], George Brennan, Trond Smedshammer; HS Baby Grace [Muscle Hill], Ladarrius Whitaker, Ladarrius Whitaker, and Peg O My Heart [Muscle Hill], Christopher Freck, Christopher Freck.
Freehold will also host four $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres Finals this week.
Four three-year-old trotting colts and geldings will go postward prior to the betting card on Thursday. The finalists are: SS Poseidon [Muscle Hill], Steve Smith, Erv Miller; Switchblade Hall [Muscles Yankee], Vincent Ginsburg, Ray Schnittker; Firestop [Muscles Yankee], Syl King Jr., Syl King Jr. and Mountain Top [Muscle Hill], Eric Abbatiello, Noel Daley.
Saturday’s card features three finals: three-year-old pacing colts and geldings [third race], three-year-old pacing fillies [fifth race] and two-year-old pacing colts and geldings [sixth race].
Prior to driver changes and morning lines, the entrants for the three-year-old colt pace are: Artsmah [Western Ideal], Roland N Rock [Rocknroll Hanover], Edward Teach [Rocknroll Hanover], Devils Cut [Western Ideal] and Rock Of The Ages. The three-year-old pacing fillies are: Crescent City [Rocknroll Hanover], Smart Zone [Rocknroll Hanover], Strut My Stuff [Western Ideal], Quick Aint Fair [Rocknroll Hanover], Lissan [Rocknroll Hanover], Cheyenne Robin [Rocknroll Hanover] and Callacam [Cam’s Card Shark].
The two-year-old pacing colt finalists are: Rock N Roll Style [Rocknroll Hanover], Lissilas [Rocknroll Hanover], Perchance To Dream [If I Can Dream], Cedar Hall Dream [If I Can Dream], Nullity [If I Can Dream] and Don’tcallmefrancis [Rocknroll Hanover].
(SBOANJ)