by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — It took his tenth career start but Switchblade Hall finally reached the winner’s circle with a sharp effort in the $7,000 third leg of New Jersey Sire Stakes-Green Acres for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings in the second of two non-wagering events on Thursday (Sept. 11) at Freehold Raceway.

Trainer Ray Schnittker drove the son of Muscles Yankee-Shooting Starlet, who covered the mile in 2:01.2, finishing 3-1/2 lengths ahead of Firestop (Muscles Yankee). It was 6-1/4 lengths to Cruizinwithmuscles (Muscles Yankee) in third.

Switchblade Hall had a second and four thirds in his prior nine starts, earning shy of $10,000 for Schnittker, Walnut Hall Ltd., Fam Alber Horse Racing LLC and Brian Pedersen.

In the first of the two pre-card events, a $7,000 Green Acres opening leg for 3-year-old trotting fillies, Shelikescandy (Chocolatier-Bancroft Hall) was a 5-3/4 length winner over Revergreen, a daughter of Revenue. Coin Collector by Chocolatier was third by 6-1/4 lengths in the field of three. The time for the mile was 2:03.4.

Shelikescandy, driven by Steve Smith and trained by Dawn Anderson, is owned by George Beck. It was her second win in 13 starts this year and improved her lifetime record to four wins, one second and three thirds from 19 starts and earnings of $44,409.