by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Federalreservenote remained undefeated in his four-race career when he captured a division of the $100,000 Arden Downs stake for freshman trotting colts at The Meadows on Tuesday (July 28) in a stakes record of 1:56.2.

The event, known as the Henry Oliver, was contested over five divisions, with Freedom Ridge, Correctamundo, Rudy Rock’s and Polar Rail taking the other splits. Aaron Merriman scored a Henry Oliver driving double with Freedom Ridge and Polar Rail.

Chris Gooden photo

Federalreservenote set a stakes record in winning his Arden Downs division in 1:56.2.

In Federalreservenote’s three previous victories, he settled along the pylons before moving to the front. In the Henry Oliver, Dave Palone moved the 1-5 favorite quickly to the lead.

“He’s good — no one’s tested him yet,” Palone said. “Every start he’s finished with the bit in his mouth and his ears up. He’s a pretty cocky turkey right now.”

Federalreservenote was never seriously challenged as he scored by 7-3/4 lengths over MM’s Sir Luke, with KT Justin A Moment third. The mile was the fastest this season by a 2-year-old colt trotter on a five-eighths-mile track and shattered the previous stakes record of 1:58.2 held jointly by Meadowbranch Lou, Bossy Boss and Tis Himself. Jimmy Takter trains the son of Tom Ridge-Starlet Lane for Christina Takter, John Fielding and Goren Anderberg.

Freedom Ridge went wire-to-wire in the Henry Oliver, just as he did in a PASS victory at The Meadows on June 29. Harold Brocklehurst, who trains the Tom Ridge-Figlietta Hanover gelding and owns with Ginger Tree Stable and John Hurtgen, said Freedom Ridge can be a “handful.”

“Anytime you can get to the front, that’s the shortest way around the track,” Brocklehurst said. “It keeps him out of trouble. That’s where he likes to be, that’s where we’ll put him if we can. I don’t regret gelding him one bit. He was tough, and he’s still tough. He’s just busy all the time.”

Freedom Ridge triumphed in 1:58.3, 1-3/4 lengths better than Upandover Hanover. Speed Hanover was third.

Correctamundo also scored on the front end but needed a determined effort in the stretch to hold off the late charge of On The Tab. He defeated that rival by a neck in 1:58.3, with Proud American K third.

“He has a right to be a good horse,” said trainer Robbie Roberts. “His mother held a track record here until recently. When I train him, I train him in a hole in case he ever has to go there. But he likes the front, and he can stay out of trouble there. He has great speed, but he’s very drivable. He’s a kind horse.”

Tom Svrcek bred and owns Correctamundo, a gelded son of S J’s Photo-Flo N Easy.