by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — Steed captured the $16,000 New Jersey Futurity for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, setting a track record of 1:58.4 on Friday (Oct. 16) at Freehold Raceway.

Helene Gregory/World Wide Racing Photos

Steed was a winner in a track record mile of 1:58.4.

Steed’s time for a 2-year-old gelding trotter eclipsed the 1:59.2 track record he established on Sept. 17 when he won the Harold Dancer Trot.

The Futurity and Dancer are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

Steed, the 5-1 third choice in the featured third race, cut the fractions of :29.1, :59 and 1:28.2, romping to a 12-3/4 length victory. Threeupthreedown (Muscle Hill) was second with Inukchuk Chuck (Muscles Yankee) third by 13 lengths.

The 5-2 second choice, Stayin Strong (Muscles Yankee), broke stride on the final turn. Southwind Flash (Muscle Hill), the 1-2 favorite, miscued in the first turn.

Driven by Daniel Dube and trained by Richard Johnson, Steed is a son of Muscle Hill–Armbro Emma. He has two wins and three seconds in 10 starts.

Bred by Flintlock Farm, he was a $50,000 Harrisburg sale purchase. He races for TLP Stables, D’Elegance Stable IX, Vito Cucci and Carmen Iannacone.

Steed returned $12.40 to win. The gelding’s bankroll grew to $39,657.

Prior to the betting card, Coco Truffles (Muscle Hill-Pilgrims Truffles) was a two length winner over Cree (Muscle Hill) in the $15,000 New Jersey Futurity division for 2-year-old trotting fillies. It was 5-1/4 lengths to Casino Cutie It (Muscles Yankee) in third.

Coco Truffles was driven to victory by David Miller for trainer Chuck Sylvester. She covered the mile in 2:01.2, improving her record to two wins, four seconds and two thirds from 11 starts. She has earned $33,673 for the ownership of Four Aces With A Kicker, Pinstripe Stable, Anthony Perretti and Myron Finkelstein. Ross Stables LLC bred the winner.