Three $40,000 races took place at Freehold Raceway today (Sept. 19), two divisions of the Garden State Trot for 3-year-old filly trotters as well as the Homegrown 3-year-old filly pace. The Homegrown saw a 31-1 upset as Celcius (Lazarus N) scored a new lifetime mark of 1:53.4.

After the wings folded and the horses settled into position, Celcius and Joe Bongiorno sat second behind the 2-5 favorite, Miraculous Deo. Coming out of the third turn on the half-mile track, Bongiorno positioned the mare to move first-over around the leader, who seemed to be losing steam. They cleared to the lead just as the field turned for home and paced on to win it by 4- ½ lengths. Per Engblom trains the Lazarus filly for William Shults. A win bet paid $64.40.

Garden State Trot: Eloise and Buy A Round Take Home the Wins

The Ron Coyne Jr. trainee, Eloise (Tactical Landing), had a dominant victory as the 2-5 favorite in the first division of the Garden State. After settling in second from post two in the first turn, Eloise overtook for the first position by the time they reached the quarter in 28.1. She went on to set the pace from there and maintained the lead all the way passed the wire. The filly’s regular driver, Corey Callahan was at the controls to get the job done. The mile time was 1:56.3.

The second division was won by the favorite as well. Buy A Round (Walner) scored at 1-5 odds for Noel Daley with Andrew McCarthy in the sulky. Her competitors didn’t make it easy for her, though. She got away fourth from post two where she sat until the field approached the three-quarter pole. McCarthy kept the filly on the helmet of John Ahle and Southwind Banshee who pulled from third into the outer flow. He stayed behind his cover until they entered the stretch and then stepped on the gas to pass and win by a head in 1:56.2.

NJSS Standardbred Development Fund: Ron Burke Sweeps Both Divisions

Also on the card were two divisions of leg one of the NJSS Standardbred Development Fund 3-year-old trot for colts and geldings. Ron Burke swept both divisions. His first win was with Seven Reps who earned his second win in a row after claiming victory in the Garden State Trot last week, both times with Austin Siegelman in the bike. The time for the mile was 1:56.1. Hankins Hanover and Corey Callahan claimed the other division as the 9-5 second-choice in a time of 1:56.3.

Freehold Raceway: A Week of Exciting Races to Come

Stakes action continues at Freehold on Friday and Saturday starting at 12:30pm. This weekend promises to be another exciting display of harness racing. Fans can look forward to more thrilling races, upsets, and record-breaking performances.