Freehold: Vinny Fusco Jr. Memorial Pacing Series finals held

Freehold Raceway concluded the Vinny Fusco Jr. Memorial Pacing Series on Friday (January 22) with a pair of finals. One saw a logical result, the other an upset.

New Zealand import Tall Poppy completed a sweep of the second division for fillies and mares with a TrackMaster Rating between 71.50 and 75.00 at the start of the series. Just like in the first two legs, George Brennan put her on the lead just after the quarter and set comfortable fractions. In the stretch of the $15,000 event, she received a stiff challenge from Thaneeya, but Tall Poppy held her at bay for a half-length win in 1:56 3/5. The winner is owned by Curtin Anz Stable, trained by Kelvin Harrison, and paid $4.20 to win.

The $10,000 first division final, for fillies and mares with a TrackMaster Rating between 68.00 and 71.50, was won by 8-1 If Ur Richimsingle. Leaving from post position two, Daniel Dube put her in the pocket early on. Not long after the quarter, Dube activated his charge and put her on the lead before the half. She drew off and opened up nearing three-quarters and never looked back, crossing the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front.

The winning 4-year-old daughter of Western Ideal is owned by John Cancelliere and trained by Tom Cancelliere. She paced the mile in 1:58 2/5 for her first career win.

--edited press release (Freehold)--