Meadowlands: New Jersey Sire Stakes freshman champions determined

U Need Stones, Hurrikane Empress, Melanie's Fran, and Princess Marxxx won the four $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds that were held on Friday evening at the Meadowlands.

The colt trot, filly pace, and colt pace were raced as non-wagering events before the main card. First up was the colt trot final, and U Need Stones (Yannick Gingras) completed a sweep, leading through fractions of 29 3/5, 58 1/5, and 1:27 4/5 on his way to a 1:55 2/5 victory. He beat Shoshie Deo (Dewayne Minor) by 4 1/4 lengths, with Brutal Storm (David Miller) and Paging Doctor Teo (Sergio Corona) way back in third and fourth, respectively.

U Need Stones is trained by Ron Burke for owners/breeders Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and Larry Karr. U Need Stones is the first foal out of the SJ's Caviar mare Sequin Hanover, a half-sister to four six-figure earners.

Gingras and Hurrikane Empress also polished off a sweep in the filly pace. Hypnotic Tale (D. Miller) led at the 27 2/5 opening quarter, but Hurrikane Empress pulled out of the pocket and cleared just past the 57 second half-mile marker. Hurrikane Empress would go on to reach three-quarters in 1:26 1/5, and then she sprinted home in 27 3/5 to win by two lengths in 1:53 4/5. Hypnotic Tale held second, followed by Cruzinforavictory (Andy Miller) and Dream Police Woman (Scott Zeron).

John McDermott Jr. trains Hurrikane Empress, a filly by Hurrikane Kingcole, for owners/breeders Jonathan Klee Racing and Kuhen Racing LLC. and their partner Pegasis Investment Group. Hurrikane Empress, who is the first foal out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Hurrikane Schmumma, won for the third time in her fourth parimutuel start.

For the third straight week Melanie's Fran (D. Miller) and Hypnotico (Scott Zeron) match raced each other in the colt pace, and Melanie's Fran won all of their battles after a 1:58 3/5 victory on this night. Hypnotico broke in a loose pocket before the 59 2/5 half, letting Melanie's Fran cruise to the victory by 24 1/2 lengths.

Melanie's Fran is trained by Kevin McDermott for owner/breeder Francis Azur. Melanie's Fran is the third foal out of the Jenna's Beach Boy mare Natalie ($504,461).

A field of six filly trotters kicked off the pari-mutuel card, and leg one winner Be Bop Sally (Andrew McCarthy) had command at the 28 4/5 first quarter, the 58 3/5 half, and the 1:28 1/5 three-quarters. Diamondstone Us (D. Miller) and Princess Marxxx (A. Miller), the winner in the second round, sat second and third for the first three-quarters, then both overhauled the leader in the lane. Diamondstone Us had the jump from the pocket and Princess Marxxx was drifting out while moving forward, but Princess Marxxx still got up late to win by length in 1:58. Be Bop Sally faded to third.

Justin Lebo trains the victorious daughter of Wishing Stone for owner/breeder Steve Stewart. Princess Marxxx is the second foal out of the Muscles Yankee mare Grace Marie, who was fourth in the 2010 New Jersey Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting fillies and a qualifier for the Merrie Annabelle final the same year. The 4-5 favorite, she paid $3.80 to win.