by Leon Zimmerman, for the New Jersey Sire Stakes

Trenton, NJ — Phase 2 of the 2009 New Jersey Sire Stakes program begins Wednesday (August 12) at Freehold Raceway with a total of nine races for 2-year-old trotters, carrying purses of $163,900.

The opening day program will include three NJSS Premier Division races for freshman trotting fillies worth a total of $67,400 and two for colts and geldings worth a total of $61,500. There will also be a total of $35,000 in NJSS Green Acres Division purses, two races for fillies and two for colts and geldings.

Among the colts in the NJSS Premier Division races are two winners of NJSS preliminary legs in the Premier Division at the Meadowlands, Homerun Hitter (Muscles Yankee) and Classical (Classic Photo), and Flex The Muscle (Muscles Yankee), winner of a Harriman Cup division at the Meadowlands.

Fillies in the NJSS Premier Division races include two winners of NJSS preliminary legs of Premier Division competition at the Meadowlands, Lindy’s Two Step (Muscles Yankee) and Reve Pride (Revenue S), who finished second and third, respectively, in the $200,000 NJSS Championship Final for their division.