Freehold, NJ — Even money favorites prevailed in the two $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club trots at Freehold Raceway Saturday (May 29).

Tony Beltrami won his division with Keystone Orion in 2:00.4 and Bob Hechkoff scored with Southern Frost in 2:00.3 in the other. Both events were contested over a sloppy race track and both winners went wire to wire in their respective splits.

Keystone Orion set sails from the two-hole and Beltrami had him well in command the entire mile.

With no challengers, Keystone Orion breezed by the quarter in :29.3. Swipe Right (Chip Allen) was the first to move as the field headed for the half. At that point Keystone Orion rebuffed all challenges and led the field by the half in 1:00.4.  And was well in command as they trotted by the three quarters in 1:30.4. Although Swipe Right moved out to challenge the leader Keystone Orion put it in another gear and opened daylight and cruised home a two-length winner. Presidente Zette took home the show dough for Joe Faraldo.

The winner, a 12-year-old Angus Hall gelding, is owned by Fabiola Quevedo and trained by Edwin Quevedo. He paid $4.00 for win.

In the second division, Southwind Frost proved too much for his competition after Hechkoff sent him to the lead and forced a challenging Fiji (Dave Offenberg) to find a seat before the :29.1 first quarter.

Once in complete control, Hechkoff and his charge cruised by the half in 1:00.3 and they were still alone as they trotted by the three quarters in 1:30.4. Heading for home only the margin of victory was in doubt and when Southwind Frost crossed the finish line he was a 2-3/4 length winner. Fiji followed the leader home for the place money while Dawn Anderson hustled Take A Wish home for the show dough.

Southwind Frost is owned by Hechkoff’s R.B.H. Ventures and trained by Vincent Stallworth. He returned a $4.00 win mutuel.