Freehold: 3YO trotters clash in NJSDF finals

Two $70,000 New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund finals for 3-year-old trotters of both sexes went behind the gate on Thursday afternoon at Freehold Raceway, and both were won by offspring of sire Trixton.

Saint Trixie (Jim Marohn Jr.) was sent off at 16-1 in the filly event, but she went to the point from post six, carved out fractions of 28 3/5, 59 1/5 and 1:28 3/5, and drew away off the well-rated tempo, prevailing by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:57 2/5. Race favorite Inside Express (Dan Dube) got up for second despite making a break after going three-wide off cover on the last turn and Sweet Tactics (Steve Smith) was third at 72-1.

Trainer Fred Grant also co-owns Saint Trixie, a Hanover Shoe Farms-bred, with partners Timber Ridge Stable, Murray Brown and Steve Katz. She has a summary of 5-5-2 from 21 starts, has earned $130,360 and paid $34.60 to win.

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In the final for colts and geldings, Sinatra De Vie (Tyler Buter) motored to the lead from post three and parked out a two-wide Smooth Landing (Joe Bongiorno) through opening-half fractions of 28 2/5 and 57. Smooth Landing retreated before the 1:26 3/5 three-quarters, but pocket-sitter Optrix (Austin Siegelman) angled out past that marker and advanced to join Sinatra De Vie on the final bend. Sinatra De Vie then made a break before they turned for home, allowing Optrix to cruise to a 3 1/2 length victory over Chezactic (George Brennan) in a final time of 1:56 2/5. Some Kinda Crazy (Tyler Miller) finished third.

A gelding bred by Millstream Stable and Aldebaran Park, Optrix is trained by Tony Dinges for owners Tom Jackson, Howard Taylor and Jenna Cornelison. He made his eighth appearance in the winner's circle, sent his bankroll to $111,300 and returned $4.40 to win as the second choice.