FREEHOLD – History was made at Freehold Raceway on Oct. 24 as Podium Girl wrapped up the New Jersey Sire Stakes – Standardbred Development Fund series with a bang. She won the final for 2-year-old pacing fillies in 1:54.3 for the mile, equaling the track record.
Off an impressive win in the first leg of the series two weeks ago, Podium Girl was sent off as the 1/5 favorite in the field of eight, according to a press release.
Driver George Brennan had Podium Girl in the pocket early on, off In High Cotton, but soon moved her to the front and got her to the lead at the half-mile. Podium Girl maintained a comfortable lead going by three-quarters, and pulled away in the stretch to win by three-and-a-half lengths.
Podium Girl’s win marks the third time a 2-year-old filly has paced in 1:54.3 at Freehold.
The mark was first set by Darlin’s Delight, who won the Molly Pitcher on Aug. 20, 2005. It was equaled by I Kill Time while winning the NJSS-SDF final on Sept. 25, 2010.
For Podium Girl, her win on Oct. 24 marks her fifth career win from 11 starts and pushes her career earnings past the $104,000 mark.
Podium Girl is owned by Henderson Farms, Robert Mondillo and Barry Spak, and is trained by Chris Ryder.
Live racing resumes at Freehold Raceway on Oct. 30 starting at 12:30 p.m., according to the press release.
