from the Freehold Raceway publicity department

Freehold, NJ — Seven spots remain for the 53rd edition of the Cane Pace, to be contested on Labor Day (September 3) at Freehold. Eight horses will be fighting for the spots when one elimination race is held this Saturday, August 25.

Meadowlands Pace and Art Rooney winner Southwind Lynx received a bye into the final as a result of being the top money earner for 2007. Trainer George Teague, Jr. will be going for his second consecutive Cane Pace win, as he took the 2006 event with Total Truth.

The $99,156 Cane Pace elimination is headed by the Joe Holloway-trained entry of Fresh Deck (George Brennan) and Always A Virgin (Brian Sears). Fresh Deck is the $ 500,000 New Jersey Classic winner, while Always A Virgin was the Meadowlands Pace favorite. They are listed as 8-5 favorites.

Pandoras Sox (8-1) is being driven by Freehold’s perennial driving champion, Cat Manzi.

Also going for spots in the final are Yankee Skyscaper (David Miller), Honky Tonk Hanover (Ron Pierce), Ghee’s House (Yannick Gingras), Tiber Hanover (Jack Baggitt, Jr.) and Artzina (with five-time Cane Pace winner John Campbell).

Also to be contested on Saturday are two elimination races for The Battle of Freehold for 2-year-old pacers. In each race, the top four finishers will advance to the final.

One elimination features McCedes (Cat Manzi, 5-2) and Artic Stretch (Ron Pierce, 7-2). In the second elimination, Cash Cab (Jim Pantaleano, 3-1), and McArdle Park (Richard Silverman, 7-2) head the field.

The eliminations are part of a big, 14-race, all superfecta card to be held on Saturday.