by Carol Hodes, for the New Jersey Sire Stakes

Freehold, NJ — Spam Spade trotted to victory in 1:55.4, setting a track and stakes record, in the $23,250 first division of the opening round of New Jersey Sire Stakes action on Friday, August 15, at Freehold Raceway.

World Wide Racing Photos

Spam Spade set a track and stakes record with his 1:55.4 score on Friday.

The second-race clocking set a new standard for 3-year-old trotting geldings, eclipsing the NJSS and Freehold mark of 1:56 shared by Arnold Plumsted (1997), Armbro Copenhagen (2005) and Green Day (2007). It was only three-fifths of a second off the half-mile track world record that is also held by Green Day who posted a 1:55.1 at Maywood Park in 2007.

Spam Spade, driven by Andy Miller and trained by Julie Miller, posted his third win in seven starts this year and now has finished in-the-money in seven of 15 attempts. His lifetime mark of 1:54.1 came in July at the Meadowlands. The Andy Miller Stable owns the trotter who has banked $41,530 for his career.

The son of Dream Vacation-Chynatown was a one length winner over Wind Surfer (Muscles Yankee) and it was 9-1/2 lengths to Ringside Muscle (Muscles Yankee) in third.

In the $23,750 second division, the fourth race, Better Than Most (Self Possessed-Articulate Hanover) was a four length winner over Seger Blue Chip (Muscles Yankee) in a lifetime best of 1:58.4. Finishing third by 4-1/2 lengths was Infuriated (Self Possessed).

Jeff Gregory drover Better Than Most for owner-trainer Jonas Czernyson. It was the gelding’s second win in three starts this year. He has four wins, one second and one third in 13 career starts.

The four-week series continues with prelims on August 22 and 29 and the $85,000 final on September 5, all at Freehold.