Freehold: Vic's Winner delivers in Dexter Cup elimination

The field is now set for next Saturday afternoon's $133,800 Dexter Cup final for 3-year-old colt trotters at Freehold Raceway after Vic's Winner won today's lone $44,600 elimination.

Vic's Winner, driven by George Brennan, sped away from post four and took the field of eight to the opening quarter in 29 1/5 before he released outside challenger On The Ropes to the point. On The Ropes would go on to click off a half in 58 2/5 and a three-quarters in 1:28, with Vic's Winner popping out of the pocket at the latter marker.

On The Ropes and Vic's Winner would battle side-by-side around the final bend and into the lane, but Vic's Winner surged by in deep stretch on his way to the win by a neck in 1:57. On The Ropes wound up second, with 1-2 choice Lindy's Big Bang (David Miller) third after following the winner from second-over. Credicone (Trond Smedshammer) and Thrust Control (Tim Tetrick) also moved on to the final.

The top five finishers will be joined in next Saturday's final by Don, Maxus, and Perlucky, who all took byes.

A colt by Credit Winner, Vic's Winner is trained by Hermann Heitmann for co-owner/breeder Winbak Farm and co-owner Joie De Vie Farm LLC. This was his fourth career victory, and he has now earned $41,400. A 5-1 offering, Vic's Winner paid $13.80 to win.