Freehold: Trio of stakes events take place on Saturday's card

A $70,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund final for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers and two Garden State splits for sophomore male trotters all took place on Saturday at Freehold Raceway.

In the NJSS-SDF final, Shakertown (Jason Bartlett) led his six rivals through fractions of 27 4/5, 56 4/5, and 1:24 2/5. On the last turn, 1-5 favorite JM's Finaltreasure (Joe Bongiorno) tipped out the pocket, but he came up empty, which allowed Shakertown to pull away in the lane and win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:52. Bloodhound (Dan Dube) was the runner-up and JM's Finaltreasure had to settle for third.

Tony Alagna trains Shakertown, an American Ideal gelding bred by Fair Winds Farm, for owners Crawford Farms Racing and Alan Johnston. Shakertown is now a seven-time winner from 22 lifetime tries, he has now banked $133,395, and he paid $13.60 to win as the 5-1 second choice.

The first of the Garden State tilts was a non-wagering event and went for a purse of $42,000. Frank The Elder (Jim Marohn Jr.) would put up panels of 28 2/5, 57 1/5, and 1:26 3/5, but Brave By Design (Bongiorno), who won the Dexter Cup at Freehold earlier this year, went by him from first-over after three-quarters and pulled away to prevail by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:56 4/5. Frank The Elder was well clear of third-place finisher The American Eagle (Kasper Foget).

A Walner gelding bred by Al Libfeld, Brave By Design is trained by Jenn Bongiorno for owner Brave By Design Stable. Brave By Design has compiled a record of 5-5-2 from 16 appearances and pushed his earnings to $169,502.

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Saverio Hanover (Dube) captured the $42,500 Garden State section that took place on the pari-mutuel card. Saverio Hanover was in command at the 28 3/5 quarter, 57 3/5 half and 1:25 4/5 three-quarters and cruised home in 29 seconds to down Thewinnertakeitall (Jordan Stratton) by five lengths in 1:54 4/5. Finn Palema (Ake Svanstedt) collected third.

Trainer Ron Coyne Jr. also co-owns Saverio Hanover, a Walner colt bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, with partner Blair Corbeil. Saverio Hanover made his sixth trip to the winner's circle in his 22nd start, has now put away $128,631, and paid $10.00 to win as the 4-1 third choice.