by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway
Freehold, NJ — A field of eight will face the starter in the $35,000 final of the New Jersey Sires Stakes Green Acres series for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Freehold Raceway on Thursday.
The solid 8-5 favorite is Adam Victor & Son Stable’s Brokaw. The gelded son of Western Ideal has won four of six lifetime starts, all against Green Acres competition at Freehold. Most recently, Brokaw scored an easy 1:58.2 victory in last week’s preliminary round of the Green Acres and should complete a sweep of the series with a similar effort in Thursday’s final.
Brokaw will leave the gate from post two. Stephane Bouchard, who has guided Brokaw in all of his victories, will be in the sulky for trainer Noel Daley.
One that figures to give a good account of himself is Western Sign. The Western Ideal colt sat a good trip behind Desist Hanover in a division of last week’s leg of the Green Acres and finished only a neck behind that rival in a 1:58.2 mile.
Jim Marshall, III will drive for his wife, trainer Donna Marshall. The duo will open on the board as the 4-1 co-second choice in the line and will start from post one.
Also listed at 4-1 is Desist Hanover. Last week, the No Nukes gelding led throughout as he captured a division of the Green Acres leg.
Desist Hanover has drawn post five for the Green Acres final. Jeff Gregory, who was aboard for the Todd Schadel-trainee’s win of a week ago, has been given the return assignment in the sulky.
Hurrikane Shannon, Big Switch, Rappermunn, Quixotic and Exponential complete the field for the feature.
A first post of 12:30 p.m. has been set for the 11 race Thursday card at Freehold.