by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Verdad edged out stablemate Mortal Zin for a neck victory in the $50,000 New Jersey Futurity for 3-year-old pacers on Saturday (Oct. 13) at Freehold Raceway.

World Wide Racing Photo

Verdad was a narrow winner in the New Jersey Futurity for driver David Miller.

Restricted to New Jersey-sired pacers, the featured tenth race drew five geldings, two fillies and one colt. The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey sponsors the New Jersey Futurity.

The duo, both trained by Ron Burke, caught the pacesetter Little Michael B before dueling to the wire. The mile was clocked in 1:54.3.

Verdad, by Western Ideal, was driven to victory by David Miller. Mortal Zin (Rocknroll Hanover) was second and it was 1-1/2 lengths to Divulge (Tell All) in third.

It was the second straight week that Verdad prevailed over Mortal Zin, matching their finish in the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes-Green Acres final the previous week.

Verdad, owned and bred by Howard Taylor and Judith Taylor, has five wins, two seconds and one third from 18 starts this year, adding $85,278 to a career bankroll now at $162,635. Lifetime, he has finished in the money in 17 of 30 starts. He also won the New Jersey Futurity as a 2-year-old.