by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway
Freehold, NJ — The post position draw for the 50th Cane Pace Final took place at Freehold Raceway on Thursday and, shortly thereafter, Perfect World Enterprises’ Timesareachanging (and his entrymate Western Terror) were installed as the slight 9-5 morning line favorites to win the first jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown on Labor Day.
Timesareachanging drew post six for the Cane Final. The gelded son of Cam’s Card Shark has won six of 12 starts this year, with earnings of nearly $600,000, and missed by only a head in last week’s Cane elimination which was won in track record time by Camelot Hall.
The close 2-1 second choice in the early line is the aforementioned Camelot Hall. The Blissful Hall colt set fractions of :263, :542, and 1:222 on his way to the record 1:511 clocking in last week’s elimination.
Camelot Hall, who is owned by David Scharf, Steven Arnold, Jerry Silva and Sampson Street Stables, drew post position two for the final.
Rounding out the top three favorites in the morning line is M and L of Delaware’s Mantacular. The son of Western Hanover was prominent throughout in the Cane elimination and finished only a length behind Camelot Hall. Mantacular has drawn post one for the final and will open on the board as the 5-2 third choice.
The complete field with post positions, drivers and odds are: Mantacular (1, Catello Manzi, 5-2), Camelot Hall (2, George Brennan, 2-1), Brandon’s Cowboy (3, Dan Dube, 15-1), Western Terror (4, John Campbell, 9-5), Droppin’thehammer (5, Ryan Anderson, 15-1), Timesareachanging (6, Ron Pierce, 9-5), Harry Hornet (7, David Miller, 15-1) and Holborn Hanover (8, Luc Ouellette, 10-1).
Western Terror and Timesareachanging will race coupled as part of a Brett Pelling-trained entry.
Saturday’s featured $18,000 Invitational handicap for pacers is headed by Niss Allen, Inc.’s Weston Earl.
In last week’s edition of the Invitational, the eight-year-old gelded son of Nuke Of Earl mustered an explosive stretch rally and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:533.
Trainer Ken Rucker has named Jim Marshall, III to drive. The duo will leave the gate from the outside post six on the handicap.
Devils Claw N, RJ’s Wild Card, G Ts Craig, Brad’s Gold and Desert Sign complete the field.
Saturday’s 11 race slate of racing action at Freehold will commence with a first post of 12:30 p.m.