Costa Rica wins Helen Smith in 1:57.1

Millionairess Costa Rica drew off to a four-length victory on Friday at Freehold Raceway, adding the $70,000 Helen Smith Trot to her list of stakes credits.

 

The daughter of Muscles Yankee, driven by Ron Pierce, took the lead early and retained it at every call to finish four lengths ahead of Kitefin Hanover (Muscles Yankee) in 1:57.1. Raysofgrace De Vie (WIndsong’s Legacy) took third.

 

Costa Rica, who dominated her New Jersey Sire Stakes division at two, was bred by Perretti Farm of Cream Ridge, NJ, which stands her sire.

 

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.

 

This was the second win of the year for Costa Rica, who has finish in-the-money in four of seven starts, banking $100,374 to push her career earnings to $1,070,500 for owners Christina Takter of East Windsor, NJ and Toronto-based brothers John and Jim Fielding.  She is trained by Jimmy Takter.

 

Costa Rica returned $3.20, $2.80, $4.00; Kitefin Hanover paid $15.20, $5.20 and Raysofgrace De Vie $9.20 to show.

 

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].

 

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. (SBOANJ)