by Courtney Stafford, for the SBOANJ

Freehold, NJ — Freehold Raceway hosted the $10,000 New Jersey Futurity for 2-year-old open pacers this past Saturday (Oct. 28). For the first time in history this particular New Jersey Futurity was referred to as ‘the battle of the brothers.’

Hurrikane Empress, trained and driven by John McDermott, faced off against his brother Kevin McDermott’s trained and driven Melanie’s Fran.

Melanie’s Fran and Kevin McDermott left as the gate folded to take the lead over Hurrikane Empress and John McDermott. The Hurrikane Kingcole filly stalked the Hypnotic Blue Chip gelding in the two hole until the stretch where she tested the leader. The brothers were battling it out down the lane when Hurrikane Empress surged at the wire to nose out her competition in 1:58.2.

This makes win number six out of 13 starts for Hurrikane Empress, owned by the partnership of Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing and Pegasis Investment Group. Bred by Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing and Hurrikane Racing, the New Jersey filly has banked $140,815 in her career thus far.