Freehold: Southwind Avanti stays hot by winning Helen Smith final

Southwind Avanti has now won three consecutive races after capturing the $25,000 Helen Smith for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Friday afternoon at Freehold Raceway in 1:56 2/5.

Hillarmbro (Trond Smedshammer) had the pole position, and she would take the field of four into the first turn with Southwind Prius (Andy Miller), Southwind Avanti (Jason Bartlett), and Romancing Rachel (Joe Bongiorno) settling in behind. Southwind Prius couldn't navigate the bend, though, as she made a break in the pocket, and that allowed Southwind Avanti to settle into that spot.

Bartlett was interested in the front after inheriting second and came to the outside before the 28 3/5 opening quarter, but Smedshammer drove on with Hillarmbro, forcing Southwind Avanti to drop back into the pocket. Hillarmbro would then be unchallenged through a half in 58 1/5 and a three-quarters in 1:27 2/5.

In the far turn Southwind Avanti came to the outside again, and this time there was no resisting her, as she overhauled Hillarmbro turning for home on her way to a four length victory. Hillarmbro held second over Romancing Rachel, with Southwind Prius completing the order.

The victorious daughter of Muscle Hill is trained by Anette Lorentzon for owner Srf Stable. This was Southwind Avanti's sixth career victory, all of which have come this year, and she has now earned over $90,000. She paid $3.00 to win as the 1-2 favorite.