by Courtney Stafford, for the SBOANJ

East Rutherford, NJ — The Meadowlands hosted the first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes or 2-year-old pacers and trotters on Friday night (June 29).

The New Jersey pacing colts raced off the card in a single division while the fillies raced on the card in their single division, both for $15,000. The $20,000 NJSS for trotters were split and went two division for both the colts and fillies, all on the card.

The NJSS for 2-year-old colts was the first contested off the regular card. Hurrikane Emperor left the gate from the rail position to win his first lifetime start in 1:53.1 for trainer John McDermott Jr. The son of Hurrikane Kingcole-Hurrikane Schmumma is owned and bred by Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing LLC and Pegasis Investment Group. Clintock finished second while Black Dan was third.

Another John McDermott Jr. trainee, Hurrikane Lori Ann, took the 2-year-old pacing fillies division in 1:56.4. Sired by Lis Mara out of Luxury Goods, the filly is starting her year off right for owners Johnathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing LLC, Pegasis Investment Group and George Viemo. Hurrikanesky took second while Love Love Me Too was third.

The first division of the 2-year-old trotting colts went to morning line favorite Greenshoe after making a break at the start. Greenshoe got back on gait and made a huge move heading to the three-quarter pole to win in 1:56.2 for trainer Marcus Melander. The son of Father Patrick-Designed To Be is owned by Courant Inc. Lucius Vorenus came in a close second while Sheena’s Boy finished third.

The second division of trotting colts was won by another Father Patrick sired 2-year-old, Hudson River, who is out of Lantern Kronos. Hudson River, trained by Jimmy Takter, came first up at the half to take the lead and stop the clock in 1:55.2. This is Hudson River’s first start and first win for owners Christina Takter and Goran Falk. A tight second went to Battenberg while third place was Trix And Stones.

The 2-year-old trotting fillies kicked off their first leg in the ninth race with odds on favorite Special Honor taking the field in 1:57.1 for trainer Julie Miller. The Father Patrick-Honor Thy Daughter filly moved to the front at the quarter and cruised home for owners Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld. Strita finished second and Devilish Delight came in third.

The second division for the fillies was also won by a daughter of Father Patrick out of Vintage Oaks. Whispering Oaks nosed out the competition in the lane to win in 1:55.4 for trainer Jimmy Takter. Whispering Oaks is owned by Brixton Medical Inc., Herb Liverman and R A W Equine Inc. French Cafe finished a very close second while Atonement was third.

The second leg of NJSS for 2-year-old pacers and trotters will be held on July 6 at the Meadowlands.