Cane elim to Artstanding

Artstanding won the $100,000 Cane Pace elimination Saturday afternoon at Freehold Raceway in 1:52.3, becoming one of the eight finalists for the Cane Pace final, set for Monday, Sept. 4. The first six finishers in the elim advanced to the final, where they will join Total Truth and Feelin Friskie, who received byes as a result of being the top money earners for 2006.

Artstanding, driven by Ron Pierce, enjoyed a two-hole trip and then made his move in the stretch drive. He held off Took Hanover for the victory. Artstanding, who was out of action for July due to illness, paid $30.60 to win for trainer Tom Fanning.

Dave Panlone, driven by David Miller, led for most of the race but slowed before the wire and finished third. True North Hanover, the betting favorite, suffered from a first-over trip and finished eighth, missing the cut for the Cane. Western Cyclone was fourth, finishing fifth was the Mickey Burke-trained JK Cu Later while Eckstrom was sixth to earn the last slot in the final.

Also contested Saturday were two elimination races for the Battle of Freehold for 2-year-old pacers. In each race, the top four finishers earned berths in the final. The first elimination featured Poker Hat (Jim Pantaleano) coming from last to first in the final quarter to win the race. Rep Tie (Jack Baggitt Jr.) was a close second, while Jimmy’s Scooter (Steve Smith), who led most of the way, finished third. Gaining the last spot in the final was Meritage Hanover (David Miller) who finished fourth.

In the second elimination, John Campbell guided Olay Olay to victory, paying $ 7.80, 3.80, 2.40. Outsource (Ron Pierce) was second while Beam Of Life (Daniel Dube) and TJ’s Ideal (Yannick Gingras) rounded out the top four.

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