from the Freehold Raceway publicity department

Freehold, NJ — Post positions for the $297,500 Cane Pace final — the first jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown — were drawn at Freehold Raceway on Thursday morning, August 30. The Cane final will be contested as part of a big, 15-race holiday card at Freehold on September 3, Labor Day.

Southwind Lynx, the George Teague, Jr.-trained colt, was made the morning line favorite at 2-1 and will leave from post three. Southwind Lynx, to be driven by Tim Tetrick, was given a bye into the final based on being the leading money winner in 2007, including wins in two million-dollar races this year, the Art Rooney and the Meadowlands Pace. Teague will be going for his second consecutive Cane Pace, winning last year with Total Truth.

Cane elimination winner Always A Virgin, with Brian Sears, drew post eight. Trained by Joe Holloway, along with his entrymate, New Jersey Classic winner Fresh Deck (George Brennan), they are listed at 5-2.

David Miller will be guiding Yankee Skyscaper (9-2) for trainer Chris Ryder from post two. Yankee Skyscaper was the 2006 Metro winner. No Metro winner has ever come back at age 3 to capture the Cane Pace.

John Campbell will be looking for his sixth Cane Pace win with Artzina, coming from post seven at 6-1.

Last year’s Cane Pace winning driver Ron Pierce will be driving Honky Tonk Hanover from post four and is 10-1.

Rounding out the field are Ghee’s House (12-1) with Yannick Gingras from post six and Jack Baggitt, Jr. with Tiber Hanover at 15-1, leaving from the rail.

The field for the Cane Pace final, with head numbers, post position, drivers and morning line odds are: 1. Fresh Deck (post 5, George Brennan, 5-2); 1A. Always A Virgin (post 8, Brian Sears, 5-2); 2. Tiber Hanover (post 1, Jack Baggitt, Jr., 15-1); 3. Yankee Skyscaper (post 2, David Miller, 9-2); 4. Southwind Lynx (post 3, Tim Tetrick, 2-1); 5. Honky Tonk Hanover (post 4, Ron Pierce, 10-1); 6. Ghee’s House (post 6, Yannick Gingras, 12-1); and 7. Artzina (post 7, John Campbell, 6-1).