Hightstown, NJ — Standout 3-year-old female trotter Special Way returned to the racetrack Wednesday (Aug. 23) for the first time in more than two months, winning a qualifier by 8-1/4 lengths in 1:53.3 for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

The filly was in second place during a :58.3 opening half-mile, then covered the second half in :54.4.

Special Way and driver Ake Svanstedt won the New Jersey Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old filly trotters June 2 at The Meadowlands. Lisa photo.

Special Way, the 2022 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old female trotter, was sidelined by a bone infection since capturing the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship on June 2 at The Meadowlands.

Owned by breeders Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, and Al Libfeld, she has won all three of her starts this season and 10 of 12 lifetime.

The daughter of Walner-Special Hill has earned $847,475.

Sarah Svanstedt of the Svanstedt Stable said Special Way would be sent to Lexington’s Red Mile for the last preliminary round of the Kentucky Sire Stakes on Sept. 4.