Freehold: Hot As Hill captures NJSS-SDF title

Hot As Hill won her third straight event at Freehold Raceway on Friday afternoon by capturing the $70,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes-Standardbred Development Fund final for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Move Over Some (Eric Abbatiello) showed good speed from the pole position and led the way early, but she would be passed by Duchesspedia (Trond Smedshammer) after the 28 4/5 opening quarter. Duchesspedia continued on the point to the half in 59 seconds, and despite the easy tempo, Move Over Some couldn't keep up in the pocket, so Pub Crawl (Andy Miller) went two-wide from third past the half, and Hot As Hill (Joe Bongiorno) grabbed the cover.

Pub Crawl cleared Move Over Some as they raced in the backstretch for the last time, and she was able to settle into the pocket behind Duchesspedia before the 1:27 4/5 three-quarters. Meanwhile, Hot As Hill also worked her way past the struggling Move Over Some and slid down to the cones in third early on the far turn. Late on the bend, Pub Crawl went two-wide to attack Duchesspedia, leaving the inside and the passing lane available for Hot As Hill.

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In the stretch it was Hot As Hill who had the most trot, as she blew by Pub Crawl and Duchesspedia on her way to the victory by a length and a quarter in 1:56 4/5. Pub Crawl, Duchesspedia, Spruce Creek (Dan Dube), and Limoges (Jim Marohn Jr.) completed the top five finishers.

Hot As Hill, a daughter of Muscle Hill, is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Larry Karr, Knox Services Inc., and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby. She is now an eight-time winner from 27 career starts, and she has earned $224,599. She was the 1-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to win.