by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — In The Clear, on-the-board in all three of his starts, has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite in the $15,000 elimination for the Lou Babic Memorial Pace on Saturday (Aug. 31) at Freehold Raceway.

Eight of the nine entrants in the elim, carded as the seventh race, will advance to the $96,200 final on Sept. 7.

The Babic Filly division drew six and all will earn a spot on the gate in the $61,900 final, also on Sept. 7.

The Babics are restricted to 2-year-old New Jersey-sired pacers and are sponsored by the New Jersey Sire Stakes program.

In The Clear, a son of Western Ideal-Orchid Island, drew post three (betting number four) in the Babic open division. The Aaron Lambert trainee took a mark of 1:53.4 in a preliminary leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes at the Meadowlands and finished second in the $150,000 final on July 13.

Andrew McCarthy is scheduled to drive the gelding who has banked $51,390 for the ownership of J&T Silva Stables; Kenneth Tucci and C&G Racing Stable.

The field for the $15,000 Lou Babic elim (from the rail out with driver and morning line odds): Rock N Roll Legacy, Steve Smith, 5-1; Rock Absorber, Kyle DiBenedetto, 10-1; In The Clear, Andrew McCarthy, 3-1; Useful Hanover, Harry Landy, 12-1; Nubble Light, Pat Lachance, 7-2; Gold Rocks, George Brennan, 9-2; Sweet Rock, James Pantaleano, 6-1; Unadorned Hanover, Eric Abbatiello, 8-1; and Rocknroll Reality, Corey Callahan, 8-1. Unadorned Hanover and Rocknroll Reality are coupled in the wagering.

The field includes one son of Cam’s Card Shark (Unadorned Hanover), two by Western Ideal (In The Clear and Useful Hanover) and the remaining six by Rocknroll Hanover.

The six fillies in the Babic Filly will be Beautiful Lady, Fiyonce, Ideal Helen, Rocklindarock, Rosie De Vie and Seaside Gal.