FREEHOLD, NJ – October 22, 2016 – A pair of Standardbred Development Fund finals for harness racing two-year-old totting fillies and colts alike were held this week at Freehold Raceway.  Each final was contested for a purse of $35,000.

The two-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, Backstage Pass now has eight wins in ten 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 card was the final for two-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 twelve starts.  The Crazed, homebred filly has banked $75,308 this season for owner Joseph Jannuzzelli of Manalapan, NJ.  The Harder trainee paid $4.40 to win.

Courtney Stafford