MANALAPAN,
NJ – September 14, 2013 – Ideal Helen [$9.40] bested a field of eight colts and
one other filly to take the $42,100 New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old pacers
on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Freehold Raceway.
The
daughter of Western Ideal, driven by Andy Miller and trained by Erv Miller,
paced the mile in 1:57.2, finishing a half length in front of
Frankandjoanne Odds on favorite Gold Rocks, who had a two-race winning
streak stopped, was a length and a half back in third. The second and
third-place finishers are both by Rocknroll Hanover.
Ideal
Helen, who started in the second tier in the 10-horse field, improved her
record to four wins and two seconds in nine starts. Her victories
included the Review Stakes at Springfield, IL and the $61,900 Lou Babic Filly
last week at Freehold.
The
winner’s share improved Ideal Helen’s earnings to $93,430 for owner-breeder DR
Van Witzenburg of Crest Hill, IL.
The
New Jersey Futurity is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners
Association of New Jersey.
Earlier
in the day, Rockaholic by Rocknroll Hanover won a $7,000 second leg of the New
Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings,
a non-wagering event.
Driven
by Eric Abbatiello and trained by Yogi Sheridan, Rockaholic prevailed by a neck
over Sky Is The Limit [Western Ideal]. Always There [Western Ideal] was
third by six and a quarter lengths.
Rockaholic
pushed his career earnings over $50,000 with his fifth career victory for
Joseph Zicchino of Point Pleasant, NJ. The gelding has finished in the
money in 13 of 30 career starts.
--Submitted
by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ
