by Courtney Stafford, Publicity Consultant, for SBOANJ

Freehold, NJ — A pair of Standardbred Development Fund finals for 2-year-old totting fillies and colts were held this week at Freehold Raceway. Each final was contested for a purse of $35,000.

The 2-year-old colt final was on Thursday (Oct 20) with a total of seven entries. Driven by Pat Lachance, Backstage Pass left the gate from postposition eight to wire the field in 2:01 flat. He’s In The Game settled for second, while Body Slam finished third.

A son of Donato Hanover-I’myourbiggestfan, Backstage Pass now has eight wins in 10 starts this season. Bred by White Birch Farms and trained by Kevin McDermott, Backstage Pass has now earned $71,300 in his rookie season. He paid $3.80 to win.

Race three on Friday’s (Oct. 21) card was the final for 2-year-old filly trotters. Ez Passer driven by Jeff Gregory got away fifth to manage a second-over trip behind Romancing Rachel before pulling around her halfway through the last turn stopping the clock in 1:58.0. Romancing Rachel finished second, while Southwind Prius came in third.

Ez Passer has three wins in 12 starts. The Crazed-Muscegrad, homebred filly has banked $75,308 this season for owner Joseph Jannuzzelli of Manalapan, N.J. The Harder trainee paid $4.40 to win.