Art Official wins Cane elim in 1:50.4

Art Official paced the fastest mile in Freehold Raceway history, turning in a 1:50.4 effort to win one of two Cane Pace eliminations Saturday afternoon, with Badlands Nitro taking the other in a more pedestrian 1:53.

Art Official started from post six in the second $65,475 elim, but was taken back at the start by regular driver Ron Pierce. Meanwhile, Yannick Gingras wanted the lead with Moon Beam but had to battle with Mystery Chase, driven by Dave Palone, to the first quarter in a hot :27.

Moon Beam cleared finally and showed the way into the homestretch the first time around, and that was when Pierce made his move with Art Official. Palone, sitting in the two hole, briefly pulled off the pylons, but then tucked back.

Moon Beam hit the halfway marker in :55.1 with Art Official on his flank. Midway down the backstretch Art Official cleared Moon Beam. There were no challengers coming, so Pierce kept his whip tucked through the stretch drive.

Lis Deo, with Tim Tetrick driving, finished second with Rudy Rednose getting up for third and Moon Beam holding on for fourth.

Art Official has now won nine of 15 starts this year for owner Sawgrass Farms. Joe Seekman trains the colt by Art Major.

Badlands Nitro, fresh off his Battle of the Brandywine score, also started from post six with Brian Sears aboard. Sears was able to find a seat third while Major General, who started from the rail, set the pace with fractions of :26.2, and :55.2.

Just past the half David Miller, driving Jo Pa’s Wild Card, flushed Sears and Badlands Nitro to the outside. Sears followed his cover until the field headed into the last turn. At that point he tipped three wide with Badlands Nitro, and in the stretch drive they edged past Major General, who hung tough for second.

The top four finishers from each elim return for the Cane final, the field will feature:

Horse--Trainer

Badlands Nitro—George Teague Jr.

Art Official—Joe Seekman

Major General—Erv Miller

U Smooth Talker U—Kevin McDermott

McCedes—Chris Ryder

Lis Deo—Erv Miller

Rudy Rednose—George Teague Jr.

Moon Beam—Eric Abbatiello

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