Freehold: Thor De Vie stretches win streak out to six

New York Excelsior Series champion Thor De Vie scored his sixth consecutive victory by capturing Saturday afternoon's $50,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund final for sophomore pacing colts and geldings at Freehold Raceway.

Driven by Jason Bartlett, Thor De Vie started from the outside post six. He left well and was able to work his way into the lead around Iluvtomakemoney (Austin Siegelman) past the opening quarter, which went up on the board in 28 3/5.

After taking control, Thor De Vie went on to a half in 58 and a three-quarters in 1:27, and a 28 3/5 final kicker was enough to get him the win in 1:55 3/5. Iluvtomakemoney gained through the lane but fell a length short at the wire, and 81-1 outsider Fordham Sixty Two (Jim Marshall III) rallied from last to third through the final quarter.

It was the 12th career win for Thor De Vie, a So Surreal gelding trained by Ed Hart for owners James Graham, Lee Winters, Paul Tandlmayer, and Giuseppe Micchia. He has now earned $178,957 and returned $3.00 to win as the 1-2 favorite.