Celebrity Secret, Azur take 3-year-old colt trots

Celebrity Secret edged away to a 1:54.3 victory in the first of two $30,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes divisions on Thursday night at the Meadowlands, with Azur winning the second split.

Driver Tim Tetrick sent Celebrity Secret first-up to challenge the pacesetter Atomic Hall, towing the 1-2 favorite Muscle Mass with him. Muscle Mass went offstride at the three-quarter marker, allowing Celebrity Secret to draw clear for a 1 3/4-length victory. Over Ruled closed along the inside for second, while Cloud Casino rallied off a third-over trip to grab the show spot. Celebrity Secret paid $10.80.

Trained by Staffan Lind, Celebrity Secret notched his second win in 12 career starts. The son of Yankee Glide is owned by Celebrity Farms of New York, N.Y. and Celebrity Secret Stable of Lexington, Ky.

In the second division, Azur nipped Kajan Kooker by a nose in 1:54.3. Driven by Brian Sears, Azur sat fourth on the rail and maneuvered around 75-1 shot Proud Moment to get up in the final strides. Blue York Yankee rallied for third. Azur, trained by Walt Carroll, paid $3.20.

The son of Self Possessed has two wins and a second in three New Jersey Stakes starts. He is owned by Verlin Yoder of Columbia City, Ind.

Both colts are eligible to the $1.5 million Hambletonian on Aug. 2 at the Meadowlands. For the first time, the New Jersey Sire Stakes program will crown all of its 3-year-old champions on a single night–June 20–at the Meadowlands. The four stakes finals are worth a combined $700,000. (Meadowlands)

« Back