Freehold: Favorites toppled in NJ Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund finals

Public choices went zero-for-two in the pair of $50,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund finals on Friday afternoon at Freehold Raceway. Three-year-old male trotters were up first, then their filly counterparts followed.

In the dash for the boys, Apollo's Creed (Andy Miller) delivered a knockout to his rivals, leading the way through panels of 29 1/5, 59 2/5, and 1:28 4/5 on his way to a 1:58 2/5 win. U Need Stones (George Brennan) overcame an early miscue to finish second, and Allindotime (Steve Smith) got third. Race favorite Shoshie Deo (Dewayne Minor) started slowly and never threatened the eventual winner before rolling off-stride past the half.

Erv Miller trains Apollo's Creed, a colt by Muscle Hill, for owners Ronald Michelon, Daniel Plouffe, and J&T Silva Stables, LLC. This was Apollo's Creed's fifth career victory, and he has now earned $55,840. The 5-2 third choice, he paid $7.20 to win.

The sophomore filly trotters took to the track in race six, and Take A Wish (Smith) made front, chopped out opening half fractions of 30 1/5 and 1:01 3/5, fended off a first-over bid from favored Chaperess (Brennan) to the 1:30 three-quarters and around the final bend, and held sway through the lane to win in 1:59 at odds of 12-1. Diamondstone Us (Troy Beyer) gained from second-over and was the runner-up, a length behind the winner, and Chaperess had to settle for third.

Trainer Dawn Anderson also co-owns the victorious daughter of Wishing Stone with Mark Schullstrom. Take A Wish is now a two-time winner, and she has now pocketed $81,845. Also an upset winner of this year's New Jersey Sire Stakes final at the Meadowlands, Take A Wish returned $26.20 to win.