Meadowlands: Twin B Joe Fresh routs older foes in FanDuel Championship

Twin B Joe Fresh, the only 3-year-old in the field, was a 1:50 2/5 winner from first-over in the $175,000 FanDuel Championship for pacing fillies and mares on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Mikala (George Brennan) made the lead after a brief battle with Racine Bell (Tim Tetrick) on the first turn and had to only go a 27 3/5 quarter to get to the top. Mikala then faced no pressure in the second quarter, which allowed Brennan to rate the half in just 56 1/5. On the final bend driver Dexter Dunn sent Twin B Joe Fresh out uncovered from the third spot, but Mikala appeared to have the tactical advantage as three-quarters was reached in just 1:25 flat.

The soft tempo didn't matter, though, as Twin B Joe Fresh powered by Mikala in the upper part of the stretch and then pulled away to the wire, winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Boudoir Hanover (Todd McCarthy), the longest shot on the board at 26-1, closed well after tipping out from last in the lane and got up for second and Max Contract (Andy Miller), the Breeders Crown Mare Pace champion, had to settle for third after following Twin B Joe Fresh's cover. Racine Bell came up the inside for fourth and Mikala faded to fifth and last in the abbreviated field.

"I knew that the speed had slackened off a little bit down the backstretch, but she's got a good brush in her. That's kind of her move, coming first-over on the last turn, and she's so quick up the straight," Dunn remarked post-race. "I was worried. Obviously I had Max Contract on my back, and she's been in great form. I thought 'well, if you get run down you get run down, we'll give it a shot.' She was just awesome tonight.

"It's a good effort, really. It was only a small field, and I know she's an older 3-year-old, but it's still tough. Those older pacers and trotters are battle-hardened and they've been around the block a few times, so it's tough work. To come and beat those older mares is pretty special."

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Trainer Chris Ryder also co-owns Twin B Joe Fresh, a daughter of Roll With Joe bred by Brittany Farms, with Dunn and their partners Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak. This was her 19th win from 27 lifetime starts, she has now earned $1,440,203, and she paid $3.80 to win as the 4-5 favorite.

"I was listening to the list of winners they were talking about that had won this race previously, and it was an impressive list. Now that this 3-year-old of ours has done this, it's unbelievable," Ryder stated. "It just shows you what a lot of speed she has. We're just over the moon.

"Honestly I don't think it's a big disadvantage (to face older horses) if they're good. I know that sounds a little strange, but I think the top 3-year-olds can fit right in with them. I've always thought that. We got the job done, and it's exciting."