by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway

Freehold, NJ — Paul Kinnear and Douglas Hutchins’ Ticket To Glide tops a field of nine three-year-old trotting fillies in the featured $39,400 opening round of the New Jersey Sires Stakes at Freehold Raceway on Thursday (August 25).

Ticket To Glide has been a model of consistency so far. The daughter of Yankee Glide has won five of her seven outings this year and 10 of 14 in her career, and her $107,581 in earnings this season tops the field in that category. Most recently, Ticket To Glide scored a convincing, two length victory in the $83,000 Helen Smith Final at Freehold on August 19, and anything resembling that powerful performance will make her the one to beat on Thursday.

Hall of Famer Cat Manzi, who has guided Ticket To Glide in all of her charted races, will be in the sulky for trainer Brett Pelling. The duo will leave the gate from post four as the 6-5 favorite in the morning line.

The main threat to the favorite could be Must Sold Dream. The Muscles Yankee filly will come into Thursday’s race off a succession of sharp performances at the Meadowlands, most recently finishing second in a $15,625 conditioned trot at the Big M on August 3.

Must Sold Dream will start from post two and will open on the board as the 4-1 second choice in the early line. Trainer Bernard Grignola has named David Miller to drive.

Rounding out the field are Christina M, Sweater Weather, Fancy Candy, Southwind Catlin, Motivational, Solveig and Pineapple Gal.

Thursday’s 14 race slate will get underway with a first post of 12:30 p.m.