by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ
Manalapan, NJ — Ideal Helen [$9.40] bested a field of eight colts and one other filly to take the $42,100 New Jersey Futurity for 2-year-old pacers on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Freehold Raceway.
The daughter of Western Ideal-Armbro Nectarine, driven by Andy Miller and trained by Erv Miller, paced the mile in 1:57.2, finishing a half-length in front of Frankandjoanne (Rocknroll Hanover-Mezuzah Hanover). Odds on favorite Gold Rocks (Rocknroll Hanover-Full Of Gold), who had a two-race winning streak stopped, was a length and a half back in third.
Ideal Helen, who started in the second tier in the 10-horse field, improved her record to four wins and two seconds in nine starts. Her victories included the Review Stakes at Springfield, IL and the $61,900 Lou Babic Filly last week at Freehold.
The winner’s share improved Ideal Helen’s earnings to $93,430 for owner-breeder DR Van Witzenburg of Crest Hill, IL.
The New Jersey Futurity is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
Earlier in the day, Rockaholic by Rocknroll Hanover won a $7,000 second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, a non-wagering event.
Driven by Eric Abbatiello and trained by Yogi Sheridan, Rockaholic prevailed by a neck over Sky Is The Limit [Western Ideal]. Always There [Western Ideal] was third by 6-1/4 lengths.
Rockaholic pushed his career earnings over $50,000 with his fifth career victory for Joseph Zicchino of Point Pleasant, NJ. The gelding has finished in the money in 13 of 30 career starts.