The event, known as the Henry Oliver, was
contested over five divisions, with Freedom
Ridge, Correctamundo,
Rudy Rocks and
Polar Rail taking the other splits.
Aaron Merriman scored a Henry Oliver driving
double with Freedom Ridge and Polar Rail.
In
Federalreservenote�s three previous
victories, he settled along the pylons
before moving to the front. In the Henry
Oliver, Dave Palone moved the 1-5 favourite
quickly to the lead.
�He�s good - no one�s tested him yet,� Palone said. �Every start he�s finished with the bit in his mouth and his ears up. He�s a pretty cocky turkey right now.�
Federalreservenote never was seriously challenged as he scored by just over seven lengths over MMs Sir Luke, with KT Justin A Moment third. The mile was the fastest this season by a two-year-old colt trotter on a five-eighths mile track, and it shattered the previous stake record of 1:58.2 held jointly by Meadowbranch Lou, Bossy Boss and Tis Himself. Jimmy Takter trains the son of Tom Ridge-Starlet Lane for Christina Takter, John Fielding and Goren Anderberg.
Freedom Ridge went wire-to-wire in the Henry Oliver, just as he did in a PASS victory at The Meadows on June 29. Harold Brocklehurst, who trains the Tom Ridge-Figlietta Hanover gelding and owns with Ginger Tree Stable and John Hurtgen, said Freedom Ridge can be a �handful.�
�Anytime you can get to the front, that�s the shortest way around the track,� Brocklehurst said. �It keeps him out of trouble. That�s where he likes to be, that�s where we�ll put him if we can. I don�t regret gelding him one bit. He was tough, and he�s still tough. He�s just busy all the time.�
Freedom Ridge triumphed in 1:58.3 over Upandover Hanover and Speed Hanover.
Correctamundo also scored on the front end but needed a determined effort in the stretch to hold off the late charge of On The Tab. He defeated that rival by a neck in 1:58.3, with Proud American K third.
�He has a right to be a good horse,� said trainer Robbie Roberts. �His mother held a track record here until recently. When I train him, I train him in a hole in case he ever has to go there. But he likes the front, and he can stay out of trouble there. He has great speed, but he�s very drivable. He�s a kind horse.�
Tom Svrcek bred and owns Correctamundo, a gelded son of SJs Photo-Flo N Easy.