FREEHOLD, NJ – October 22, 2016 – A pair of Standardbred Development Fund finals for harness racing two-year-old totting fillies and colts alike were held this week at Freehold Raceway. Each final was contested for a purse of $35,000.
The two-year-old colt final was on Thursday (Oct 20) with a total of seven entries. Driven by Pat Lachance, Backstage Pass left the gate from postposition eight to wire the field in 2:01 flat. He’s In The Game settled for second, while Body Slam finished third.
A son of Donato Hanover, Backstage Pass now has eight wins in ten starts this season. Bred by White Birch Farms, and trained by Kevin McDermott, Backstage Pass has now earned $71,300 in his rookie season. He paid $3.80 to win.
Race three on Friday’s card was the final for two-year-old filly trotters. Ez Passer driven by Jeff Gregory got away fifth to manage a second over trip behind Romancing Rachel before pulling around her halfway through the last turn stopping the clock in 1:58.0. Romancing Rachel finished second, while Southwind Prius came in third.
Ez Passer has three wins in twelve starts. The Crazed, homebred filly has banked $75,308 this season for owner Joseph Jannuzzelli of Manalapan, NJ. The Harder trainee paid $4.40 to win.
Courtney Stafford