Freehold: Ab'sattitudexpress, Kasha V capture stakes events

An anticipated clash between two top trotting fillies on Friday afternoon (September 18) at Freehold Raceway saw Ab'sattitudexpress win the final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes-Standardbred Development Fund for 3-year-old trotting fillies by two lengths.

The Lucas Wallin trainee won the first leg of the series on August 28 by 6 3/4 lengths, then broke stride in the Garden State Trot last week. In that same race, second leg winner Common Sense equaled the track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies. Off that win, Common Sense was 4-5 in the final, while Ab'sattitudexpress was the second choice.

Leaving from post one, driver George Brennan took Ab'sattitudexpress straight to the lead and forced Common Sense into the pocket. Nearing the three-quarter point, Ake Svanstedt took Common Sense outside and made a bid for the lead, but Ab'sattitudexpress repelled the challenge and drew off for the win. The final time was 1:56 3/5.

On the year, Ab'sattitudeexpress has now earned over $150,000 and won four races for owners Stop the Jade Farm. Earlier in the season, she won the final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes at the Meadowlands and has continued her good form at Freehold.

Earlier in the card, Kasha V won his third in-a-row at Freehold, taking the Garden State Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings. Austin Siegelman put him on the lead early, and he encountered no challenges as he strolled under the line 1 3/4 lengths in front. He's owned by Theologos Moutafis and trained by Tom Corelli.