by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — A pair of odds-on favorites served up wire-to-wire victories in the Lou Babic Open and Lou Babic Filly Finals on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Freehold Raceway.

Ideal Carver by Western Ideal captured the $106,700 Lou Babic Open in 1:55.2 while Panera Hanover, a daughter of Rocknroll Hanover, snagged the $68,900 Lou Babic Filly in 1:56.4. Both 2-year-old pacing events are restricted to the progeny of New Jersey stallions.

Ideal Carver, sent off at odds of 1-5 in the sixth race, was driven to victory by Jim Pantaleano for trainer Casie Coleman. It was the gelding’s fourth win in seven starts. It was a length and a quarter back to Only The Lonely [Western Ideal] in second and six lengths to To Beach His Own [Rocknroll Hanover] in third.

Ideal Carver improved his bankroll to $75,491 for owners West Wins Stable of Cambridge, ON and Steve Calhoun of Chatham, ON.

Two races later Panera Hanover, the 3-5 favorite, coasted to a five and a quarter-length victory, her second win in three career starts. David Miller drove the filly for trainer Julie Miller.

After a lengthy inquiry that resulted in the disqualification and placement of Certified Ideal from second to seventh, Campanile Hanover [Western Ideal] was moved into second-place and Daisyofadeal [Western Ideal] into third.

Panera Hanover races for the Pinske Stables of Plato, MN and has earnings of $43,540.