Costa Rica gets the nod in Helen Smith

Millionairess Costa Rica, who dominated her New Jersey Sire Stakes division at two, has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite against seven other three-year-old New Jersey-sire fillies in the $70,000 Helen Smith Trot Final, the featured sixth race on Friday, August 20, 2010 at Freehold Raceway.

The daughter of Muscles Yankee will leave from post three with Ron Pierce in the sulky.

“She's not that big of a filly, and I try to pick my spots with her,” said Jimmy Takter, her trainer.  “By doing that, I think I can have a good season with her.

"I'm fortunate to have quite a few horses, so it keeps me busy enough,” noted Takter, who won his second Hambletonian with Muscle Massive on the first Saturday in August.  “If she was the only one, maybe you would be more aggressive.  These horses, if you win one or two of the big ones, you have a good season.”

Costa Rica finished in the top three in 15 of 16 starts at two.  Her 10 victories in 2009 included the New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals at both Freehold and the Meadowlands as well as the $450,000 Goldsmith Maid and $441,750 Peaceful Way, both at Mohawk, and the $157,800 Matron at Dover Downs.

At three, she has one win, one second and one third in six starts, adding $65,374 to push her career earnings to $1,035,500 for owners Christina Takter of East Windsor, NJ and Toronto-based brothers John and Jim Fielding.

Costa Rica was one of three fillies who advanced with byes along with Religulous [by Muscles Yankee] and Unefoisdansmavie [by Revenue].  They gained their spots by having the highest money earnings in the last 90 days.

The Helen Smith is restricted to New Jersey-sired sophomore trotting fillies and is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey [SBOANJ].

The stakes record of 1:56.3 was set by Muscle Shirt by Muscles Yankee in 2008.

Originally raced as the Charles I. Smith Filly Trot, this stakes was renamed in 1995 to honor Smith’s wife, Helen.  Charles I. Smith was a New Jersey harness racing pioneer, founder of the New Jersey Sire Stakes program and owner of trotters.  Mrs. Smith was an active in the SBOANJ for years and named an honorary member in 1992.  She died in 1994 at the age of 90.


The $70,000 Helen Smith Trot Final, sixth race on Friday, August 20 [horse, sire, driver, trainer, morning line]: Celebrity Faith, Yankee Glide, David Miller, Staffan Lind, 7-2; Kitefin Hanover, Muscles Yankee, George Brennan, Randy Becckman, 10-1; Costa Rica, Muscles Yankee, Ron Pierce, Jimmy Takter, 5-2; Keystone Tabby, Classic Photo, Trond Smedshammer, Trond Smedshammer, 9-2; Unefoisdansmavie, Revenue, Tim Tetrick, Peter Kleinhans, 8-1; Religulous, Muscles Yankee, John Campbell, Jeff Webster, 5-1; Raysofgrace De Vie, Windsong’s Legacy, Andy Miller, Julie Miller, 6-1 and Reviewer, Yankee Glide, Cat Manzi, Randy Beeckman, 10-1.  Kitefin Hanover and Reviewer are coupled in the wagering.