by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Avenue Hanover captured the $45,000 New Jersey Futurity for 3-year-old pacers and a Ron Burke-trained duo swept a pair of 2-year-old divisions on Saturday (Oct. 15) at Freehold Raceway.

Yannick Gingras handled the driving assignments for both Burke trainees as 21-1 Mortal Zin (Rocknroll Hanover-Zintillating) won the $28,000 New Jersey Futurity for 2-year-old pacers in the first race and his stablemate, betting favorite Verdad (Western Ideal-Jennie Fanetta), breezed in the $29,000 second division, the eighth race.

Mortal Zin scored in a personal best 1:54.2 in his NJ Futurity division.

Mortal Zin paced a lifetime best 1:54.2 in his one length tally over Divulge (Tell All). It was 1-3/4 lengths to Ideal Ike (Western Ideal) in third. Odds-on favorite I Fought Dalaw faded to last in the field of five.

Mortal Zin posted his second victory and now has finished in-the-money in seven of 12 starts and pushed his earnings to $53,340 for the partnership of the Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Slaughter Racing Stable LLC and Lawrence R. Karr.

Verdad had the lead at every call in recording a 6-3/4 length victory over Mikeleh. It was 7-1/2 lengths to Hang Ten in third. All top three finishers were by Western Ideal. The mile was timed in 1:56.2.

Verdad now has five wins, one second and three thirds from 11 starts and earnings of $75,757 for owners Howard Taylor and Judith Taylor.

Helene Gregory/World Wide Racing Photos

Daniel Dube piloted Avenue Hanover home in a time of 1:54.4.

In the $45,000 3-year-old division, Avenue Hanover, with Daniel Dube driving, won on the front end in 1:54.4, finishing 2-1/2 lengths ahead of Diamondonthebeach (Cam’s Card Shark). It was 3-3/4 lengths back to Arockin Hanover (Rocknroll Hanover) in third.

Mark Silva owns and trains Avenue Hanover (Cam’s Card Shark-Artistic Hanover), who picked up his second straight win. Unraced at two, he has three wins and two seconds from 13 starts in 2011, banking $78,172.

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