by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway
Freehold, NJ — A pair of $15,000 Open Handicaps — one for trotters and one for filly and mare pacers — head the action at Freehold Raceway on Friday.
The 3-1 morning line favorite in the filly and mare co-feature is Martin Scharf’s Stonebridge Kisses.
The four-year-old daughter of Artiscape comes into Friday’s race in raging form, with a victory in a $15,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap at Yonkers in her latest effort on December 27 and a win in a $43,000 pace for Open Mares in her previous outing at the Meadowlands on December 17.
All told, Stonebridge Kisses has won nine of her 27 starts this season and has earned $93,592 in purses.
Stonebridge Kisses will start from post four on Friday, and Yannick Gingras will drive for trainer Mark Ford.
One that figures to prove a serious threat is Jet Lag N. The five-year-old Direct Flight mare was a beaten choice at the Meadowlands in the December 17 edition of the Open Mares Pace when she finished third behind Stonebridge Kisses in a 1:52.1 mile.
Jet Lag N had beaten Open Mares at the Big M in each of the preceding two weeks, and a return to that winning form would certainly loom as a distinct possibility on Friday.
Hall of Famer Cat Manzi, trainer Richard Banca’s driver of choice for Jet Lag N, will be in the sulky. The duo has been assigned the outside post eight and will open on the board as the 7-2 second choice in the early line.
Bangkok Babe, Caitlin Q, Lady Matawai N, Giggles The Clown, Feathery Fame and Her Own Art complete the competitive field for the Filly and Mare Open Pace.
In the Open Handicap for trotters, Bottom Dollar Stable’s Coyote Creek has been installed as the lukewarm 3-1 morning line choice.
The sophomore son of Sierra Kosmos waged a protracted outside battle and finished third in a $19,500 conditioned trot at the Meadowlands on December 17.
Coyote Creek has displayed an affinity for the Freehold oval — he set his lifetime mark of 1:57.4 over that surface earlier this season — and would not have to improve very much on Friday to get back onto the winning track.
Coyote Creek will start from post four. Stephen Smith will guide the Karen Garland-trained colt.
Completing the nine horse field for the Open Trot are: KW’s Champion, Take Gold N, Earl’s Charm K, Dram-Jack, Punk Man, Little Man Fred, Rickie and Yasmin Lee N.
First post for Freehold’s 14 race Friday card has been set for 12:30 p.m.