It's been a sweet run indeed for Feeling Sweet at Freehold Raceway. She won the first two legs of the New Jersey Sire Stakes-Standardbred Development Fund for three-year-old pacing fillies, and will seek a sweep of the series on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 12).
Last week was her most impressive win yet. Sent off as the 1-5 favourite in the field of six, she instantly made it to the lead and drew off handily, coasting under the wire 9-1/2 lengths in front in 1:56. This time, she will leave from post position five, and driver Mike Cole will almost certainly be aggressive with her once again. Feeling Sweet is trained by Joseph Columbo for George and Tina Dennis Racing.
It won't be easy for her to get the sweep, though. She has several imposing rivals from some top stables. Jenn Bongiorno sends out JK Finendandy from the inside post position. After Feeling Sweet caught her on the fire in leg one, JK Finendnady roared to a convincing 5-1/2 length win in the other division of the second leg last week. Two weeks ago, she almost won the first leg gate-to-wire, before Feeling Sweet nailed her late. Joe Bongiorno has the drive.
Tony Alagna sends out Caviart Heather, who is looking for one more shot at redemption. In both legs of the series, she has gone off as the odds-on favourite, but has finished second both times. She will look for a rebound from post position four with Jason Bartlett in the sulky.
That race is scheduled as the seventh, with a scheduled post time of 2:30 p.m.
Earlier in the day, a field of seven three-year-old colt and gelding pacers will do battle in the second division of their NJSS-SDF series. JK Lucky Charms was an impressive gate-to-wire winner in the first leg last week, and he will look to do it again from post position one. Todd McCarthy will drive for trainer Brett Pelling. They will go in the third race, with a listed off time of 1:10 p.m.
The first of 12 races at Freehold on Saturday will be at 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)