by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Tight Pants coasted to a 2-3/4 length victory in capturing the $59,000 Marion Dancer Trot in 2:02 on Wednesday (Sept. 15) at Freehold Raceway.

The Muscles Yankee filly was virtually unchallenged in picking up her second straight victory. She has finished in the money in four of five career outings, banking $39,380.

Andy Miller drove Tight Pants who is trained by “Nifty” Norman and races in the name of Mel Hartman, Herb Liverman and David McDuffee. McDuffee and Liverman bred the filly.

Finishing second in the non-wagering event was Don’t Cry Lindy (by Chocolatier) with four lengths back to What’s Your Name (by Muscles Yankee) in third.

This year the Harold Dancer Filly Trot was renamed in memory of Dancer’s wife, Marion. The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey sponsors the Marion Dancer which is restricted to New Jersey-sired 2-year-old trotting fillies.

The stakes record for the Marion Dancer since it moved to Freehold in 2000 is 1:59 set by Lovely in 2005.