Cane Pace final field set

North America Cup winner Total Truth on Thursday drew post five for Labor Day’s $300,000 Cane Pace at Freehold Raceway and was made the 3-1 morning line favorite. The Cane Pace is the first jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown.

Total Truth, driven by Ron Pierce, received a bye into the final on the basis of seasonal earnings, which top $1 million. In addition to winning the North America Cup, the colt won the Hoosier Cup and was third in the Adios.

“I thought he was real sharp in the Adios for being off a month,” trainer George Teague Jr. said. “It would mean everything to win (a Triple Crown race), especially with this kind of horse when you have a fair chance. I feel good going in. You always dream of racing in these.”

Took Hanover, who was second in last week’s Cane Pace elimination race, drew post eight and was made the second choice in the morning line at 7-2. Took Hanover won a division of the Oliver Wendell Holmes on Aug. 5 at the Meadowlands.

“I was very happy with Took Hanover’s race,” said driver John Campbell, who has won the Cane Pace a record five times. “He paced strong through the stretch and I think he’s going into the final very sharp. (But) post position can be an equalizer on a small track.”

Elimination race winner Artstanding, to be driven by George Brennan, got post two and is 9-2 in the morning line. Livestrong, who finished seventh in the elim and failed to advance to the final, got into the race when New Jersey Classic winner Feelin Friskie, who had received a bye, scratched.

The field for the Cane Pace, in post position order with driver, trainer and odds:

Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Odds

1 - Dave Panlone - David Miller - Jim Arledge Jr. - 5/1
2- Artstanding - George Brennan - Tom Fanning - 9/2
3- J K CU Later - Steve Smith - Mickey Burke - 8/1
4- Livestrong - Yannick Gingras - Noel Daley - 10/1
5- Total Truth - Ron Pierce - George Teague Jr. - 3/1
6- Western Cyclone - Daniel Dube - Travis Alexander - 6/1
7- Eckstrom - Cat Manzi - Ross Croghan - 12/1
8- Took Hanover - John Campbell - Noel Daley - 7/2
(HRC)

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