Meadowlands: Powerhouse performance by Twin B Joe Fresh in Lady Liberty

Twin B Joe Fresh made a shambles of the $146,000 Lady Liberty Stakes, for older pacing mares, demolishing her rivals and scampering to a 1:48 blowout victory on the Hambletonian Day program Saturday afternoon (Aug. 3) at the Meadowlands. The 4-year-old Roll With Joe mare, out of the Captaintreacherous dam Fresh Breeze, was a winner for the sixth time in seven starts this year with the powerhouse performance, and she gave co-owner Dexter Dunn his sixth driving win on the card.

Dunn and Twin B Joe Fresh left from the outside but took a seat on the first turn as a few other mares were more intent on cutting the fractions. Silver Label and Scott Zeron left fast from the pole position but were overpowered by Grace Hill into the first turn. Always B Naughty and driver Yannick Gingras swept three-wide to gain control at the 26 3/5 opening quarter fraction. Tim Tetrick settled second choice Sylvia Hanover into a hole early, but past the quarter, he saw Grace Hill and Todd McCarthy making a second move and got on her back quickly. Sylvia Hanover had control of the action before the half in 53 3/5 with Dunn sitting chilly with Twin B Joe Fresh content to race from off-the-pace.

Dunn sent Twin B Joe Fresh in motion past the half, and the mare accelerated quite quickly as Tetrick anxiously tried to get Sylvia Hanover's attention going to three-quarters. Twin B Joe Fresh just blew by Sylvia Hanover like she was standing still and quickly drew distance following the 1:21 3/5 three-quarters. With Dunn a passenger, Twin B Joe Fresh completed her mile with a 26 2/5 final quarter and won by 2 1/4 lengths.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

The battle for minor spoils found Silver Label finally freeing herself from a bad shuffle on the final turn to rally stoutly for second, with Zanatta coming from the clouds to finish third.

Co-owned as well by trainer Chris Ryder, Twin B Joe Fresh is also owned by partners Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak, and was bred by Brittany Farms.

"She's just been a better mare this year," said Dunn following the victory. "Sometimes she'd get a little weak towards the end of a mile last year, but this year she's just powering through the finish line."

As the 3-5 favorite, Twin B Joe Fresh returned $3.20 to win.