Spotlight on New Jersey sired three-year-olds

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – July 31, 2016 – The spotlight was on New Jersey harness racing sired three year old pacers Saturday night at the Meadowlands.  Blue Moon Stride continued her winning ways at the Meadowlands by dominating the $85,000 Thomas D’Altrui for 3 year old fillies.  While Don’tcallmefrancis nosed out the competition in the $150,000 Anthony Abbatiello Classic.

The Thomas D’Altrui and the Anthony Abbatiello Classic are both sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey.

Blue Moon Stride a Rocknroll Hanover sired filly driven by Andrew McCarthy wired the field from start to finish stopping the clock in 1:51.2.  JK Fannie [Rocknroll Hanover] finished second six lengths back while Rocknroll Vision finished third.  Miss New Jersey 2016 Brenna Weick presented the trophy to the Mark Harder trainee’s winning connections.  Blue Moon Stride was bred by Perretti Farms.

Don’tcallmefrancis, a son of RocknRoll Hanover, took the colt companion race, the Anthony Abbatiello Classic in 1:51.0 over a sloppy track.

Driver Yannick Gingras, managed a two hold trip behind heavily favored Boston Red Rocks.  The rail opened up enough for Gingras to nose out the competition.  Ideal Rocky was a fast closing third on the outside.

Ron Burke trained, Don’tcallmefrancis a $25,000 Harrisburg Sale purchase, improved his record to four wins in 2016 pushing his lifetime total to $172,998.  He was bred by Stephen P. Dey III in New Jersey.

Courtney Stafford