NJSS action at Freehold

Heathers Dream rallied from last heading into the final turn to win the second of two New Jersey Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old filly trotters at Freehold Thursday afternoon. The first division went to Self Admirer, with both winners trotting lifetime bests.

Sent off at odds of 11-1, Heathers Dream got away fourth early after being parked through the first turn in her $27,300 split. Around the bend heavily-favored Emantee (George Brennan) was caught three wide but charged forward. With no hole to be found Brennan was forced to move on to the front, finally reaching the lead past the opening :27.4 quarter. After a :57.2 half Emantee then had to contend with a first-over Susie's Magic (Cat Manzi), but still kept her advantage along the inside at the 1:26.3 three-quarters heading into the final turn.

Meanwhile Sugg had gotten shuffled back to last in the eight-horse field down the backstretch before moving to the outside fourth-over. He tipped Heathers Dream four wide turning for home and with a huge late brush was able to edge past a game Emantee in the final strides to win by a half length in 1:57. Susie's Magic held for third.

Bred, trained and owned by Ivan Sugg, Heathers Dream is a daughter of Dream Vacation. The time lowered her mark by three-fifths of a second set Aug. 20 at Indianapolis. She increased her earnings to more than $170,000 with the victory.

As for the Stephen Smith-driven Self Admirer, she defeated Four Starz Lindy (Trond Smedshammer) and WInning Sister (Ron Pierce) to notch her second win of the year in 13 starts. The time for the mile was 1:56.3.

Owned by C & I Siegel Racing Stable, Self Admirer is a daughter of Self Possessed and a full sister to 2006 standout 2-year-old filly trotter Possess The Magic, who has already won the New Jersey Sire Stakes final and Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stake this year.

Self Admirer is trained by Karen Garland. The time lowered her mark by five full seconds.

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