Freehold: Dexter Cup elimination goes to Whirl Winds K

The field for this year's Dexter Cup for 3-year-old trotters was set with a single $39,650 elimination this afternoon at Freehold Raceway, and it would be pocket-sitter Whirl Winds K and driver George Brennan getting up in the nick of time to take a 1:59 3/5 decision.

Starting from post two, Whirl Winds K dropped in behind rail starter Cavill Hanover (Ake Svanstedt), as that one shot through from the pole to take the field through leisurely opening-half fractions of 29 2/5 and 1:00 3/5. HL Revadon (Dexter Dunn) then put some first-over heat on the pace-setter in the third quarter after pulling out of third, getting head-and-head with Cavill Hanover at the 1:30 three-quarters.

Cavill Hanover managed to stave off HL Revadon around the last turn and then dispatched him for good in the lane, but in the stretch the passing lane became available for Whirl Winds K, and Brennan guided him there. For most of the stretch drive it looked like Cavill Hanover would manage to hang on, but Whirl Winds K came with one final push that got him there by a nose. Skyway Kon Man (Trond Smedshammer) finished well after sitting on the cones in mid-pack to get up for third, followed by a fading HL Revadon.

Also advancing to next Saturday's $118,950 final, joining the top-four finishers and bye-taker Osterc, were Jason's Camden (Andy Miller), Big Money Honey (Matt Kakaley), and Cotton To You (Andrew McCarthy).

Rich Gillock trains Whirl Winds K, a Donato Hanover colt, for owner/breeder Robert Key. This was Whirl Wind K's fourth career win, and he has now earned $51,000. Whirl Winds K was the 5-2 second choice and paid $7.80 to win.