Freehold: Another Chapter, Lord Cromwell post upset victories in Dexter Cup eliminations

Another Chapter and Lord Cromwell, both sons of Chapter Seven, downed the favorites in the pair of $24,000 Dexter Cup eliminations for 3-year-old colt trotters on Saturday afternoon at Freehold Raceway.

With Scott Zeron in the bike, 6-1 third choice Another Chapter led early in the first elimination, but he would give way to favored Sir John F (Yannick Gingras) at the 28 4/5 opening quarter. Sir John F would go on to reach the half in 59 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:28 2/5, with the public's second choice Southwind Cruze (Andy Miller) moving first-over out of third to challenge the tempo-setter on the final bend.

In the stretch Southwind Cruze and Sir John F continued their side-by-side battle, but the passing lane became available for Another Chapter, and once Zeron guided his charge into the clear air he exploded past the top two, going on to win by a length in 1:57. Southwind Cruze nosed out Sir John F for second, and Texican (Trond Smedshammer) finished in fourth.

The winner is trained by Mark Silva for owners Jeff Snyder and Four Friends Racing Stable LLC. This was the colt's first win from 11 career starts, and he has now earned $57,575. He paid $15.00 to win.

The second elimination saw several horses eliminated by early breaks, including 6-5 co-favorite Ei Ei O (Brian Burton). Staying flat and taking command was 7-1 shot Lord Cromwell (John Campbell), and he was unchallenged through fractions of 28 3/5, 57 4/5, and 1:27. Gustavo Fring (Eric Carlson), the other 6-5 favorite, tried to mount a rally out of the pocket, but Lord Cromwell was way too tough, and he would go on to win by three lengths in 1:56 2/5. Gustavo Fring, Arch Credit (Smedshammer), and Earl Variera (Ake Svanstedt) rounded out the top-four finishers.

Lord Cromwell is trained by Ed Hart for owner/breeder Carolyn Atherton. The gelding is now a three-time winner from five lifetime tries, and he has banked $23,320. He returned $16.60 to his backers for the victory.

In other action on the card, there was a prep race for the filly companion event next Saturday, and Princess Aurora (Gingras), the runner-up in the Breeders Crown and Goldsmith Maid last season, would win in 1:58 4/5. A daughter of Cantab Hall, she is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners/breeders Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz.