by Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ

Manalapan,NJ –– On a sunny, fall day, Southwind Hope was the clear-cut winner of the$40,000 Marion Dancer for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Friday, October 9,2015 at Freehold Raceway.

Southwind Hope was an easy winner of the Marion Dancer for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Friday at Freehold Raceway.

Aweek ago, the Muscle Hill –Honey Pie filly broke stride at the start of the NewJersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres Final on a sloppy track and finished last.

SouthwindHope, driven by Steve Smith and trained by Julie Miller, trotted the mile in2:01.2 on a fast track, finishing a length and a half ahead of Casino Cutie It[Muscles Yankee]. It was 16 lengths to Heal The World [Muscle Hill] inthird.

SouthwindHope improved her record to three wins, one second and two thirds from ninestarts and lifted her earnings to $37,600 for the partnership of the AndyMiller Stable of Millstone Township, NJ; Little E LLC of New York, NY, andLawrence Dumain of Pine Bush, NY. She was bred by Southwind Farms ofPennington, NJ.

SonnyDancer, celebrating his 80th birthday, presented the trophy.

TheMarion Dancer is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeder & Owners Associationof New Jersey.

Helene Gregory for World Wide Racing Photos

The New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres trot for 3-year-old fillies was won by Maion Millonair in 1:57.4 .

MarionMillionair [Muscle Hill], with Jim Marohn Jr. driving, scored a three-lengthvictory in 1:57.4 over Blue Muse [Muscles Yankee] in the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes –Green Acres Final for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

DemonsN Diamonds [Muscle Hill] was 19 lengths back in third.

MarionMillionair, trained by William Popfinger, is owned and bred by William Mulliganof New Hope, PA. She now has seven wins, six seconds and four thirds in 22starts this year for earnings of $91,060 toward a career bankroll of $97,460.

Bothstakes were non-wagering and prior to the card.