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ALWAYS A VIRGIN TAKES $297,500 CANE PACE FINAL AT FREEHOLD FREEHOLD, NJ - - Always A Virgin took the lead at the half and never looked
back to win the 53rd edition of the $ 297,500 Cane Pace at Freehold
Raceway. In doing so, the Joe
Holloway trained colt equaled the track record of 1:51.1 for three year old
colts. This was the first ever Cane
win for both driver Brian Sears and Holloway. Sears knew he was in good position as the race unfolded. “I was close enough to the front early on to make a move and everything worked out.” Entry mate and NJ Classic winner Fresh Deck (George Brennan) took the early lead in the race and was ahead until Always A Virgin made his move prior to the half. Finishing second was Southwind Lynx driven by Tim Tetrick. Southwind Lynx was given a bye into the final based on being the leading money winner in 2007, including wins in two million dollar races this year, the Rooney and the Meadowlands Pace. Trainer George Teague, Jr. was going for his second consecutive Cane Pace, winning last year with Total Truth. Finishing third was Fresh Deck, while Tiber Hanover (Jack Baggitt Jr.) was
fourth. The Cane Pace is the first race in pacing’s triple crown. The other races being the Little Brown Jug (September 20) and Messenger Stakes (October 27). Always A Virgin rewarded supporters with a payout of $ 3.60, 2.60, 2.10. In the $144,325 Shady Daisy, Tim Tetrick guided Southwind Tempo to victory, tying the track record for 3 year old pacing fillies with a time of 1:53.0. The win was the 14th in 17 starts for the Steve Elliott trained filly. In the other major stakes race, Truponder with John Campbell won the $ 125,500 Battle of Freehold for two year olds. Shoot First (Tim Tetrick) was second while Mr. Nice Guy (George Brennan) finished third. |