from the Freehold Raceway publicity department

Freehold, NJ — The seven remaining spots for the 53rd Cane Pace were filled on Saturday (August 25) with the racing of the $99,156 Cane Pace elimination.

Eight horses were fighting for the spots to join Southwind Lynx, who received a bye for the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown. The Meadowlands Pace and Art Rooney winner earned a bye as a result of being the top money earner for 2007.

In the Cane Pace elimination, Brian Sears drove Always A Virgin to an impressive victory. For the Joe Holloway trained colt, the win was his 10th in 21 career starts. Always A Virgin took the lead just past the quarter pole and never looked back, finishing in 1:51.3. Yankee Skyscaper (David Miller) was second, while the Joe Holloway entrymate, Fresh Deck (George Brennan), hung on for third. Holloway will be looking for his first Cane Pace victory on Labor Day.

Artzina, with John Campell, was seventh at the half, but closed to take fourth. Last year’s Cane winner, Ron Pierce, drove Honky Tonk Hanover to fifth place. Ghee’s House with Yannick Gingras was sixth. Gaining the last spot in the final was Tiber Hanover (Jack Baggitt, Jr.), who finished seventh.

The only horse not to advance to the final was Pandoras Sox with Cat Manzi. He went on an untimely break on the first turn and never recovered.

The field for the Cane Pace Final: Southwind Lynx, Always A Virgin, Yankee Skyscaper, Fresh Deck, Artzina, Honky Tonk Hanover, Ghee’s House and Tiber Hanover.

Also being contested on Saturday were two elimination races for The Battle of Freehold for 2-year-old pacers. In each race, the top four finishers would punch their ticket to the final.

The first elimination featured McCedes (Cat Manzi) leading from start to finish, paying $4.40, $2.60, $2.20. Second was Dear Mac (Andrew McCarthy), while Western Kissed (Jeff Gregory) was third. Gaining the last spot in the final was Mr Nice Guy (Jim Pantaleano), who finished fourth.

In the second elimination, John Campbell went wire-to-wire, guiding Truponder to victory, paying $4.60, $2.80, $2.20. McArdle Park (Richard Silverman) was second while Shoot First (Jeff Gregory) and A Little Crazy (Brian Sears) rounded out the top four.

The field for the Battle of Freehold: McCedes, Dear Mac, Western Kissed, Mr Nice Guy, Truponder, McArdle Park, Shoot First and A Little Crazy.

Both the Cane Pace and the Battle of Freehold will be contested as part of a special Labor Day holiday card on Monday, September 3.