The final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes-Standardbred Development Fund for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will headline the Saturday card (Sept. 19) at Freehold Raceway, along with a tough renewal of the Preferred Handicap Pace. Both races will go through trainer Brett Pelling.
In the sire stakes final, Pelling will seek a sweep of the series with JK Lucky Charms. The gelding, whom Pelling co-owns with 3 Brothers Racing, won the first two legs of the series in front-pacing efforts. Last week, he won by three-quarters of a length in a sharp 1:54.3. However, his task in the final will be a bit tougher than usual. In the first two legs, he had post position one. On Saturday, he'll have to leave from post position eight. Todd McCarthy maintains the drive.
Force N Fury, who hit the board in both legs; Rock N Teen, who was a fast-closing second to JK Lucky Charms last out; and Rockin Jukebox, who finished second in the first leg two weeks ago, look like the toughest rivals. The race is scheduled as the sixth race, with a post time of 2:10 p.m. EDT.
One race later, Pelling will send out the appropriately-named Springsteen in the Preferred. The five-year-old is best known for winning the 2018 Max Hempt Memorial at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. He has won three times from five starts on the year, including an impressive 1:48.1 mile at The Meadowlands. Most recently, he was seventh in the #SendItIn Invitational at Scioto Downs.
He was assigned post position eight with driver George Brennan.
The first of 12 races at Freehold on Saturday will go to post at about 12:30 p.m. EDT.
(Freehold Raceway)