Two $10,000 divisions of the second leg of the Standardbred Development Fund New Jersey Sire Stakes for two-year-old colt pacers took place on Thursday, Oct. 12 at Freehold Raceway.
Driver Jason Bartlett and 1-5 favourite Wishyouwell easily won the first division from post four for trainer Nifty Norman and owner/breeder Kovach Stables. After pacing the first turn from first-over with some pressure from Marcus Miller and Jaxsons Wish, who was first on the inside before breaking stride, Wishyouwell overtook Jaxsons Wish and set the pace for the rest of the race without competition. The Bettors Wish gelding put up fractions of :29, :59 and 1:27.4 and crossed the wire four lengths ahead of his peers with his earplugs still in place in 1:56. Bet On Mac and Austin Siegelman finished second and Lazaruls and Steve Smith were third. The win was Wishyouwell's fourth in nine career starts.
In the second division, 3-5 favourite Caviart Justice (pictured above) teamed up with Jordan Stratton to earn his second lifetime win from seven starts. In the first turn, inside starter Caviart Justice settled in behind outside leavers Dan Dube and Divine Cosmo and then wasted no time pulling to battle for the lead. Shortly after they reached the quarter pole in :28.3, Caviart Justice cleared to the front and led the way to the half in :58 and the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3. Going into the final turn, Seen Here, driven by Jim Marohn Jr., put on some pressure from first-over and the two rookies duelled down the stretch. Ultimately, it was Nancy Takter trainee, Caviart Justice, who pulled away and crossed the wire first in a time of 1:55.2 over the Freehold half-mile oval. Seen Here finished 2-1/4 lengths behind in second and Divine Cosmo was third. The young Lazarus colt is owned by Caviart Farms and Christina Takter.
Freehold will host the second leg for two-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday, Oct. 14. The finals for both colts and fillies will take place the following Saturday, Oct. 21. Live harness racing at Freehold Raceway takes place on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 12:30 p.m.
(With files from Freehold Raceway)