Meadowlands: Twin B Joe Fresh, Warrawee Michelle win FanDuel finals for mares

Twin B Joe Fresh closed out her season and perhaps racing career in style for co-owner Dexter Dunn, capturing the Grade 2 $150,000 FanDuel final for Open Mares in a command performance at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. The 6-year-old by Roll With Joe drew off in the stretch, leaving rival Talk Curdy To Me in the dust for a 1:49 1/5 victory.

Trained and co-owned as well by Chris Ryder, Twin B Joe Fresh became the second-richest pacing mare of all-time behind Eternal Camnation with the win.

Champagne Room and Always B Naughty looped the 1-20 favored Twin B Joe Fresh going into the first turn, with the latter hitting the opening fraction in 27 seconds flat for driver Scott Zeron. Dunn patiently had Twin B Joe Fresh glide to the top three-eighths of the way into the mile and controlled the action through a 55 1/5 first-half.

Talk Curdy To Me and Todd McCarthy made a race out of it in the third quarter, charging up without cover and towing Rodeo Drive Deo into the race with a perfect second-over trip. Twin B Joe Fresh had inside control but was head-to-head with Talk Curdy To Me at three-quarters in 1:22 3/5 when the race suddenly changed.

Dunn called on Twin B Joe Fresh and the response was instant as she glided away effortlessly from all her rivals. Talk Curdy To Me held on well for second with Rocket Deo flying late for third.

Twin B Joe Fresh was a winner for the 44th time in her career with her earnings approaching $3.6 million. Pete Trebotica and Barry Spak also co-own the gifted mare, who captured her third FanDuel title with the win. As the heavy favorite she returned $2.10 to win.

"It's been the ride of a lifetime," said Dunn. "It's a great thrill to win the race with her."

"Now I've got to make a bad decision whether to retire her or not," said Chris Ryder following the race, leaving in limbo whether Twin B Joe Fresh will once again race in 2027 or be bred to Sweet Lou.

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Warrawee Michelle and driver Yannick Gingras made a regaining move past the quarter pole and never looked back in capturing the $150,000 FanDuel final for Open Mares on the trot in a 1:51 3/5 clocking. The 5-year-old daughter of Walner, trained by Ake Svanstedt, was a winner for the 13th time in her career and closed out her racing career with earnings just shy of $2 million.

Woman Of Passion and Todd McCarthy were the quickest to the front in the early stages with Gingras easing Warrawee Michelle into the pocket into the first turn. Tactical Moni, the Breeders Crown winner, made a break shortly past the start and was never a factor.

Following a 28 second first quarter cut by Woman Of Passion, Gingras moved Warrawee Michelle to the front and rattled off fractions of 55 3/5 and 1:24 for the middle-half. R Dutchess and Tim Tetrick tried to rally without cover on the turn but couldn't gain as Warrawee Michelle shifted into high gear, completing her mile with a 27 3/5 final quarter as Woman Of Passion chased to be second with Bourbonista S third.

Owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc., Santandrea Inc and Young Guns, Warrawee Michelle returned $4.60 to win.