Freehold, NJ — Freehold Raceway hosted a trio of trotting stakes on Friday (Sept. 27). Cotton To You won the stakes with wagering, the $10,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes-Standardbred Development Fund for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Driver Jim Marohn Jr. sent his charge right to the lead from post position one, opening up a clear early lead. At about the five-eighths point, Michael McGivern sent Powerscourt, coming out of NYSS action, up first over and after the leader. On the final turn, Powerscourt put a head in front and it looked as if Cotton To You was in trouble. However, Cotton To You showed a lot of heart and fought back to win by a neck in 1:58.

This was Cotton To You’s fourth lifetime win from 20 starts. He finished sixth in the Dexter Cup at this track earlier in the year, but clearly found more success when returning. He’s owned by Harbor Racing Stable, W Boyd Henderson, and Lucas Wallin, and is trained by Wallin.

In addition, Freehold hosted two non-wagering divisions of the New Jersey Futurity for 2-year-old trotters.

Barley won the division for colts and geldings, going on the lead all the way in 2:00.3 for owners Enzed Racing Stable and Gus Dovi, trainer Nifty Norman, and driver Eric Abbatiello.

Tricky Sister prevailed in 2:03.3 in the filly division, sitting in the pocket behind her rival, DJ’s Midnight Jazz, and powering to victory. The NJSS-SDF champ is owned by Robert Key, trained by Andrew Harris, and was driven by Dan Dube.

Live racing continues on Saturday at Freehold, with a first race post time of 12:30 p.m. (EDT). There are two stakes races on the card — the Renaissance for 2-year-old pacing fillies and the NJSS-SDF final for 2-year-old male pacers. In addition, all on-track patrons will receive a free cap with purchase of a Freehold live program, plus $1 hot dogs and $1 small sodas.