by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway

FREEHOLD, NJ – – The $346,000 Cane Pace final, the first leg of the coveted Pacing Triple Crown for three-year-olds, will be the centerpiece of a big 14 race, all superfecta card of live harness racing action at Freehold Raceway on Labor Day.

At 9-5, the slight favorite in the morning line is Mac McNichol, St Albert Ab and Brittany Farms’ American Ideal. The son of Western Ideal has won eight of 15 starts this season, including his last four straight. Among those recent victories are the $376,380 Confederation Cup final at Flamboro Downs on August 21 and a $130,000 division of the Oliver Wendell Holmes at the Meadowlands on August 6. The trainee of Casie Coleman, who will be vying to become the first female conditioner to ever win a Triple Crown event, was the easiest of winners when he coasted to victory in 1:52.2 in his Cane elimination last week.

George Brennan, who was at the reins for American Ideal‘s tally a week ago, has been given the return assignment in the sulky. The duo will leave the gate from post three.

Stiff opposition figures to come from the Brett Pelling-trained entry of Cam’s Fool and Village Jolt, and they will open on the board as the close, 2-1 second choice in the early line.

Cam’s Fool made the Cane final by virtue of an impressive, first-over victory in his Cane elimination. The Cam’s Card Shark colt, who is owned by Jeffrey Snyder and Lothlorien Equestrian Stable, covered the mile in 1:52.3, defeating the heavily favored Jo Pa’s Shark by three-quarters lengths at the wire.

Cam’s Fool has drawn post four for the Cane final. Brian Sears, who engineered Cam’s Fool’s tally in last week’s elimination, will drive once again.

Village Jolt, last year’s juvenile Pacing Champion, was fortunate to make the Cane final. The son of Cam’s Card Shark made a break at the start of his elimination but recovered well enough to finish fourth – the minimum needed to qualify for the final. However, Village Jolt had won the $321,800 Adios at the Meadows on August 13 prior to that, and a return to that form could make him a contender in the Cane final.

Village Jolt, who races under the banner of Jeffrey Snyder and Arlene and Jules Siegel, will start from post seven. Hall of Famer Ron Pierce, who has guided Village Jolt in all of his charted races, will drive.

Rounding out the field for the Cane final are Royal Flush Shark (Eric Ledford, 6-1), Robin Of Locksley (Dan Dube, 8-1), Jo Pa’s Shark (David Miller, 4-1), Marced Card (Jeff Gregory, 15-1) and Revolutionary Foe (Cat Manzi, 20-1).

As an added holiday attraction, Freehold will be giving out free, limited edition Cane Pace caps to all patrons who purchase a Freehold program, while supplies last.

First post for Freehold’s Labor Day card has been set for 12:30 p.m.