by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway

Freehold, NJ — A total of 10 New Jersey sired juvenile colt and gelding trotters will face the starter in the $7,500 Harold Dancer elimination at Freehold Raceway on Thursday (September 8). The first eight finishers will advance to next week’s $90,000 (est.) final.

The 3-1 morning line favorite is Thomas King, Michael Hartley, Leo Stepanian and Brian Shoplik’s Keystone Savage. The son of Yankee Glide has been very consistent so far, sporting a 5-1-2 across the board record in 10 starts this year while earning $304,797. His biggest victory came in the $460,000 Peter Haughton Memorial Final at the Meadowlands on August 4.

Brian Sears, who has been trainer Dane Snyder’s driver of choice for Keystone Savage, will be in the sulky. The duo will leave the gate from post one.

One that could supply a great deal of opposition is Ted Gewertz, American Viking Racing Stable, and Milton and Martha Frank’s Nicole In One. Most recently, the Dream Vacation colt scored an impressive, 2:00.1 win in a New Jersey Sires Stakes Green Acres race at Freehold on August 31, which was his second victory in three career outings.

Nicole In One will start from post six as the 4-1 second choice in the early line. Hall of Famer Cat Manzi will drive for conditioner Trond Smedshammer.

The Paul Doherty-trained entry of Stone Cold Steve and A Rod, BJ’s Chinook, Wildwood Days, Tsunami, Winbak Adam, Mal’s Gift and Rapid Ride complete the field.

On the Freehold undercard, Kenneth Conover and Alvin Stafford’s Gabby’s Delight has been installed as the 5-2 early favorite in the $35,000 final of the New Jersey Sires Stakes Green Acres for two-year-old pacing fillies.

First post for Thursday’s 12 race slate at Freehold has been set for 12:30 p.m.