Freehold: Trente Deo by a nose in NJSS Standardbred Development Fund Final

Trente Deo just held on in a close finish, taking Saturday afternoon's $50,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund Final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Freehold Raceway in 1:57 flat.

Driven by Jonathan Roberts, Trente Deo left out from post four and was able to get around pole starter and favorite Downtown Cruiser (Simon Allard) passing the 27 3/5 opening quarter. Roberts was able to back down the pace in the middle-half, putting up a half in 58 2/5 and a three-quarters in 1:27 3/5, while Mark Witha K (Eric Abbatiello) moved first-over and Just Plain Loco (George Brennan) tracked him from second-over. Just Plain Loco was sent out three-wide passing three-quarters, and he would assume the first-up position entering the far turn.

Just Plain Loco managed to get a slim lead on the outside around the final bend and to the top of the lane, but his brush stalled out, and Trente Deo battled back to regain the advantage. In the final strides Downtown Cruiser, who had watched everything from the two-hole, came with a late charge up the passing lane, but he fell a nose short to Trente Deo. Just Plain Loco was just a head back in third.

A Captaintreacherous colt, Trente Deo is trained by Michael Hall, who also co-owns him with David Hamm and Ctc Stable. Trente Deo is now a three-time winner, and he has earned $59,316. He was the 2-1 second choice and paid $6.40 to win.