by Courtney Stafford, for the SBOANJ

East Rutherford, NJ — The Meadowlands hosted the New Jersey Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds on Friday (July 13). The pacers competed for a $75,000 prize while the trotters fought for $125,000 purses.

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Hurrikane Emperor scored in 1:53.3 in the freshman male pace final.

Hurrikane Emperor, a son of Hurrikane Kingcole-Hurrikane Schmumma, swept the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings to remain unbeaten in three pari-mutuel starts. The John McDermott Jr. trainee, driven by Daniel Dube, left from post position one and never missed a beat to win in 1:53.3.

Hurrikane Emperor upped his lifetime earnings to $58,500 for owners Johnathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing, Pegasis Investment Group and George Vierno. Black Dan finished second while Narrative came in third.

The final for the 2-year-old pacing fillies went to odds-on favorite Mollydooker. The daughter of Great Vintage-Fox Valley Zena, trained by Tony Alagna and driven by Brett Miller, brushed past the competition at the quarter and paced through the wire in 1:54, giving Mollydooker her second win in three starts and lifetime earnings of $45,000 for owner Visionary Breeders. Love Love Me Too came in second while Hurrikanesky finished third.

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Whispering Oaks was able to hold off a hard charging French Cafe in the stretch to win in 1:55.1.

The first division of the trotters was for the 2-year-old fillies in race five. The Father Patrick-Vintage Oaks filly Whispering Oaks won for trainer Jimmy Takter and driver Yannick Gingras and took home the winner’s share of the $125,000 purse. Whispering Oaks was able to hold off a hard charging French Cafe in the stretch to win in 1:55.1. Golden Tricks finished third.

Whispering Oaks is now two-for-three lifetime with earnings of $72,500 for owners Brixton Medical Inc., Herb Liverman, and R A W Equine Inc.

The final NJSS for the night was for the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Despite making a break behind the gate Greenshoe was able to collect himself and come back to claim the prize. A son of Father Patrick-Designed To Be, trained by Marcus Melander and driven by Brian Sears, Greenshoe rushed past the leader and stopped the clock in 1:53.3.

This win keeps Greenshoe undefeated and gives his owners Courtant Inc. $72,500 in purse money. Trix And Stones finished second and Hudson River was third.

The Meadowlands live racing returns Saturday night with a post time of 6:35 p.m.