Stayin Strong completed a sweep of the New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres for two-year-old trotting colts with a narrow victory in the $25,000 final on Thursday at Freehold Raceway.
The son of Muscles Yankee–Loch Katrine, with Eric Abbatiello driving for trainer Julie Miller, held off Threeupthreedown [Muscle Hill] by a head. Inukchuk Chuck [Muscles Yankee] was third by a half-length.
Stayin Strong crossed the wire in 2:00.1. He had been tested early by the Harold Dancer winner Steed [Muscle Hill], who broke stride on the second turn of the non-wagering event, and repelled the closers near the wire.
Stayin Strong captured all three preliminary legs of the Green Acres and now has four wins, one second and two thirds from 10 starts. He has banked $39,964 for the owners Jason and Douglas Allen of Vincentown, NJ. He was bred by Lauren and Robert Tucker.
In a two-horse field, Mountain Top [Muscle Hill] was a five and a quarter length winner over Switchblade Hall [Muscles Yankee] in the $7,000 Green Acres for three-year-old colt trotters.
Abbatiello drove Mountain Top for trainer Noel Daley, who co-owns with Mario Mazza.
The time of the race was 2:01.4.
Mountain Top has won all three Green Acres preliminary splits. The $25,000 final is on October 15.
New Jersey-sired horses highlight the Friday and Saturday cards at Freehold.
The $40,000 Marion Dancer for two-year-old trotting fillies, sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, has a field of four: Peg O My Heart [Muscle Hill], Heal The World [Muscle Hill], Southwind Hope [Muscle Hill] and Casino Cutie It [Muscles Yankee].
It will be contested at 12 noon on Friday, prior to the betting card, along with the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres Final for three-year-old trotting fillies, featuring Blue Muse, Rileys Dream, Marion Millionair and Demons N Diamonds.
On Saturday, the pacers are in the spotlight. Green Acres third-round prelims, one for two-year-old colts and geldings and one for three-year-old colts and geldings, will be presented before the card.
The $25,000 Green Acres Final for two-year-old pacing fillies is the third race on the betting program.
The finalists, from the rail out [with sire, driver and morning line odds] are: LL Jackpot [Philos Hanover], Jim Marshall III, 3-2; Queenofthedream [If I Can Dream], Marcus Miller, 5-2; Rocknroll Palz [Rocknroll Hanover], Vincent Ginsburg, 9-1; Heatherjean [Rocknroll Hanover], Gareth Dowse, 20-1, and On Top Ofthe Rock [Rocknroll Hanover], Steve Smith, 9-5.
(SBOANJ)