Freehold, NJ — Freehold Raceway hosted a pair of stakes for 2-year-old pacers on Saturday (Sept. 14), the $87,000 Renaissance Pace, for 2-year-old males, and the final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes-Standardbred Development Fund for 2-year-old fillies.

Columbo won the Renaissance, prevailing by a length in 1:55.1. Sent off as the second choice in the field of six, driver Jordan Stratton put him on a clear early lead, rolling through a strong opening quarter of :27.4, and a half of :56.4. Follow Your Heart attempted a first-over move at the half, but could not get anything going and wilted by the three-quarter point. Favored Rockin the Gates made a three-wide brush at three-quarters, as did Paddy All Day, but Columbo stood strong and held on.

This is Columbo’s second career stakes win, adding on to a win in the Sheppard Pace final at Yonkers Raceway in July. He gives trainer Linda Toscano and driver Stratton their second stakes win at Freehold of the week, as they won a leg of New Jersey Sire Stakes action with Play Trix on Me on Friday. Kenneth Jacobs owns the winner.

In the New Jersey Sire Stakes-Standardbred Development Fund final, Lucy Lightyear proved her upset win from last week was no fluke, winning by a head in 1:57. Adopting the same strategy that won her the second leg of the series, driver Stacy Chiodo put her horse right on the lead. Favored Caviart Heather made a first-over move at the half, and drew up to the leader’s flank as they rounded the final turn. However, Lucy Lightyear dug in and held on, holding off not only Caviart Heather, but the frantic late rally of ground-saving Ready Set Rock.

Stacy Chiodo trains and drives the winner for owner Timothy Tobias. The filly has won two races from eight career starts, and tripled her lifetime earnings today, to almost $48,000.

Live racing resumes at Freehold on Friday (Sept. 20), with a first post time of 12:30 p.m.