by Leon Zimmerman, for the New Jersey Sire Stakes

Force Nine, a son of Dream Away, scored the first victory of his brief career with a 2:02.2 victory in the $35,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres Final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings Tuesday at Freehold Raceway.

With Hall of Famer Catello “Cat” Manzi driving, the colt had to go three wide at the half-mile mark to avoid a breaking horse and get the lead. The colt then pulled away to win by seven and a half lengths over the 1-2 favorite Tug River Man. Another three lengths back in third place was Enjoyment.

Force Nine, trained by Ross Croghan for owner Brian Nixon of Centerport, NY, earned $17,500 with his initial victory in four career starts, all in Green Acres competition. Previously, the colt had only earned a second-place finish.