Freehold, NJ — Two $10,000 second-leg divisions of the New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund series for 2-year-old colt pacers took place on Thursday (Oct. 12) at Freehold Raceway.

In the first division, Jason Bartlett won easily with 1-5 favorite Wish You Well for trainer Nifty Norman. After pacing the first turn from first-over with some pressure from early leader Marcus Miller and Jaxsons Wish, Wish You Well worked to the lead and set the pace for the rest of the race without competition. The Bettor’s Wish gelding put up fractions of :29, :59 and 1:27.4, and crossed the wire with his earplugs still in place in 1:56 for owner Kovach Stables LLC. Bet on Mac and Austin Siegelman finished second; Lazaruls and Steve Smith finished third.

Wish You Well proved dominant as the fives-on favorite in the first NJSS-SDF split.

The second division saw 3-5 favorite Caviart Justice team up with Jordan Stratton to earn his second lifetime win. In the first turn, he settled in behind Dan Dubé and Divine Cosmo, and then wasted no time pulling to battle for the lead. Shortly after they reached the quarter pole in :28.3, Caviart Justice cleared to the front and led the rest of the pack to the half in :58 and the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3. Going into the final turn, Seen Here, driven by Jim Marohn Jr., put on some pressure from first-over, and the two dueled down the stretch. Ultimately, it was Nancy Takter trainee Caviart Justice who pulled away and crossed the wire first in 1:55.2. Seen Here finished second and Divine Cosmo finished third. The young Lazarus N colt is owned by Caviart Farms and Christina Takter.

Caviart Justice pulled away late for a 1:55.2 score in the second division. Katie Eick photos.

Freehold will host the second NJSS-SDF leg for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (Oct. 14). The finals for both colts and fillies will take place the following Saturday (Oct. 21). Live racing at Freehold Raceway takes place on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 12:30 p.m.