by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway

Freehold, NJ — A total of 14 three-year-old New Jersey sired trotting fillies will go postward in a pair of $10,000 eliminations for the Helen Smith Memorial at Freehold Raceway on Friday. The first four finishers in each elimination will advance to the $84,100 Helen Smith Final on August 20.

In the first division, Perretti Racing Stable and Lindy Racing Stable’s Self Indulgent is the 9-5 favorite in the morning line. The Self Possessed filly most recently rallied to finish third in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks Final at the Meadowlands on August 7. Self Indulgent’s $99,550 in earnings this year makes her the richest filly in the field and her 1:53³ win at the Meadowlands on July 1 makes her the fastest.

David Miller, who has guided Self Indulgent in all of her starts this season, will drive for trainer Jimmy Takter. The duo will leave the gate from post one.

Ready to supply the top choice with serious opposition is In The Shell. In her latest start in the $30,000 Duenna Stake at the Meadowlands on August 6, the daughter of Muscles Yankee overcame a long overland journey to finish third. All told, In The Shell sports a 2-1-1 across the board record this season with $71,148 in earnings.

In The Shell has been made the 5-2 second choice in the early line and will start from post three. Hall of Famer Cat Manzi has been given the driving assignment by trainer Jonas Czernyson.

Watch Out, Olympics, Mom’s Sweetie Pie, Too Hot For Me and Almond Joy complete the field.

The 8-5 morning line choice in division two is Martin Sternberg and Alvin Katz’s Funny Malentine. The Malabar Man filly was overmatched in the Hambletonian Oaks Final in her latest outing and finished eighth at odds of 83-1, but has the highest career earnings ($316,795) of any entrant in the field.

Funny Malentine has drawn the rail for her elimination. Trainer Linda Toscano has named Manzi to drive.

At 2-1, the second choice in the early line is Much Obliged. The daughter of Muscles Yankee comes into Friday’s race off a deceptively good fourth place finish in a $25,000 Open Trot for three-year-old fillies at the Meadowlands on August 6.

Much Obliged will leave the gate from post four. Trainer/driver Charles Norris will be in the sulky.

Rounding out the field are Patsy Fed, Sassy Savannah, Joyardee, Tammy G and Would Workout.

Freehold’s 12 race Friday card will get underway with a first post of 12:30 p.m.

Green Acres filly pacers head Thursday card

The New Jersey Sires Stakes Green Acres Series gets underway with four $10,000 races for two and three-year-old pacing fillies at Freehold Raceway on Thursday.

In the first division for freshmen, Don Queen’s Treasure Cam has been made the 8-5 favorite in the morning line. The Cam’s Card Shark filly has won two of her three lifetime starts and turned in an impressive qualifying win at Freehold on Friday in preparation for her local bow.

Treasure Cam will start from the outside post six. Queen, who also serves as trainer for Treasure Cam, has chosen Jeff Gregory to drive.

Slipper Hanover, Dylans Girlfriend, Nonoiwont, Make Me Money and No More Nookie complete the field.

The second division for freshman fillies is headed by Dijo Racing Stable and Steven Held’s Wedded Bliss. In her most recent start at Pocono Downs on August 1, the daughter of Cam’s Card Shark weakened late and finished sixth as the 3-2 favorite in a $2,700 conditioned pace. Prior that that outing, however, Wedded Bliss had finished second in a $15,753 division of the Reynolds Memorial at Pocono, and a return to that form figures to make her the one to beat on Thursday.

Gregory will handle Wedded Bliss for trainer Joe Pavia, Jr. The duo will leave the gate from the outside post seven as the 2-1 choice in the early line.

Rounding out the field are Squeakmunn, Fastalkin Hanover, Smile Is Near, How Great Thou Art, Coupon and Shake It Sugaree.

The 7-5 morning line favorite in the first division for three-year-old fillies is 3 Brothers Stables’ JK Mazel. The Artsplace filly has been outstanding when able to stay flat — she has won half of her six starts this season when able to do so — and should be very hard to beat if she paces the entire mile on Thursday.

JK Mazel has drawn post one. Trainer Linda Toscano has named Hall of Famer Cat Manzi to drive.

Sugar N Sakra, Hawaiian Dreamer, Ms Denise, I’m All Speed, Screamin Eagle, AB Seascape and Dream Sail comprise the remainder of the field.

Majestic Eagle will open on the board as the 8-5 favorite in the second division for sophomore pacing fillies, which features a nine horse field. The daughter of Artiscape sports a 6-1-0 across the board record in 10 starts this year — including a sweep of the Swing Back Series at Freehold this spring — and rates favoritism despite finishing out of the money in her two most recent starts at the Meadowlands in June.

Majestic Eagle will start from post two. Jim Marshall, III will be in the sulky for owner/trainer Joe Spoto.

Artoonist, Chippie Gabby, No Pie, Set To Star, Longshot Linda, Pacific Lady, Virtual Dream and See Life complete the field.

First post for Freehold’s 10 race Thursday slate has been set at 12:30 p.m.