by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Always A Virgin and driver Brian Sears made quick work of the field in winning the $297,500 Cane Pace, the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds, in a track record time of 1:51.1 on Monday afternoon (September 1) at Freehold Raceway.

The connections of Always A Virgin celebrate in the winner’s circle.

Saddled with post eight, Sears and Always A Virgin did not tarry long in that spot, grabbing fourth place out of the gate behind stablemate and early leader Fresh Deck (George Brennan), who hit the quarter-mile mark just ahead of and outside Yankee Skyscaper in :26.4. As the field paced to the second turn on the half-mile track, Sears had Always A Virgin on the move and those two powered into the lead just before the :54.3 half.

With Fresh Deck tucked in behind him and Yankee Skyscaper following Fresh Deck, Always A Virgin made the three-quarters in 1:22.1. Southwind Lynx, who made a break before the gate, recovered quickly and was third on the outside throughout most of the middle of the race.

As the field turned for home, Always A Virgin was well in command with stablemate Fresh Deck and Southwind Lynx battling for place money down the stretch. When the teletimer stopped, Always A Virgin was five lengths ahead of the field, Sears laying almost horizontal in the sulky. Southwind Lynx got up for second and Fresh Deck was third.

Joe Holloway trains Always A Virgin for breeder/co-owner Joe Hurley’s Roll The Dice Stable of Delaware, along with Bluewood Stable and Val D’or Farm, both of New Jersey.

Always A Virgin gets a kiss from caretaker Nicole Wiser.

“It worked almost as perfect as it could be,” said Holloway after the race. “I thought I could have been one-two, I was trying to root the other one (Fresh Deck) home, but this was nice.”

Having to start from post eight with Always A Virgin was not a major concern in Holloway’s eyes. “Not as bad as if I’d had it with the other horse because Fresh Deck’s really a good horse, but he’s more one dimensional.

“This horse (Always A Virgin) is just handy, you can stop and start, whereas with Fresh Deck, once you start, there’s only one place you’re going. I just felt he could make the lead from the five (post position) and this horse (Always A Virgin) could find a spot. He’s turning into a dominant horse. Not that I wanted it (post eight), believe me. Not that I was happy to have the eight hole, but of my two horses, I would rather have him have the eight hole than Fresh Deck, because Fresh Deck is a speed horse. Brian (Sears) was stirring him up as fast as you can to leave and, ‘Whoop, there’s a hole, slow up.’ A lot of them don’t do that. That’s just his greatest trait.”

USTA/Ken Weingartner photos

Southwind Tempo scored in 1:53 in the Shady Daisy.

Always A Virgin will now head to the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fair on Thursday, September 20.

In the $144,325 Shady Daisy, Tim Tetrick guided Southwind Tempo to victory, equaling the track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies with a time of 1:53. The win was the 14th in 17 starts for the Steve Elliott-trained filly.

In the other major stakes race, Truponder, with John Campbell, won the $125,500 Battle of Freehold for 2-year-olds. Shoot First (Tim Tetrick) was second while Mr Nice Guy (George Brennan) finished third.