from Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ – In his final tune-up for the Meadowlands Pace, Always A Virgin crushed the competition in the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for 3-year-old colt pacers on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Lisa Photo

Always A Virgin drew off to a 4-1/4 length win in 1:50.2 in the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for 3-year-old colt pacers on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Aiming to avoid traffic in the first turn, driver Brian Sears sent Always A Virgin to the front early and yielded willingly to George Brennan and Art At Heart at the half. However, Sears quickly retook the lead and Always A Virgin drew off to a 4-1/4 length win in 1:50.2. Coupled in the wagering with stablemate Fresh Deck, Always A Virgin was sent off the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80, $2.10 and $2.10. Kinetic Yankee finished second and returned $2.40 and $2.10, while St Pete Star closed for the show spot and paid $2.10.

“There was a horse that got rough in the first turn [Greg Merton’s horse, Artist’s View],” Sears said. “I was just trying to avoid any mishap and being taken out of the race. I didn’t want to get locked into any shuffle. When I got a chance for clearance, then I just moved to the front. I let George [Brennan and Art At Heart] go and popped the pocket a little early, but he raced good. I really think he has a chance [at the Meadowlands Pace].”

Trained by Joe Holloway, Always A Virgin is one of the early favorites heading into the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on July 14. Holloway plans to give the colt next week off before heading into the July 7 eliminations for the track’s signature event.