It's official, Art Official sets Freehold track record

The field is set for the 54th running of the Cane Pace at Freehold Raceway on Sept. 1. One thing that was learned at Saturday's Cane Pacer Eliminations, is that it may take a track record to win the first leg of the Pacing Triple Crown.

That's because Ron Pierce steered Art Official, harness racing's fastest 3-year-old pacer, around Freehold's half-mile oval in a track record 1:50.4 in winning his $65,475 elimination.

Earlier this year, Art Official won the Meadowlands Pace in 1:47.0, making him the all-time fastest 3-year-old.

The old Freehold Raceway track record was 1:51.0 co-held by Dauntless Bunny (1998), KLF Pro Sam (2001) and Francam (2006).

The other Cane elimination was won by Badlands Nitro with Brian Sears in the bike. Badlands Nitro caught Major General (Andy Miller), who took the lead from the gate, in the stretch.

Eight qualifying spots were on the line in the two elimination heats with the top four finishers in each advancing to the Labor Day $392,850 final.

The field for the Cane Pace is Art Official, Badlands Nitro, Major General, Les Dio, U Smooth Talk U, Rudy Rednose, Mc- Cedes and Moon Beam.

Pierce will be aiming for his fourth Cane Pace victory. He will be looking to join harness racing royalty. The late Stanley Dancer and John Campbell, both Hall of Famers, share the record for Cane Pace wins with four.

Sears is going for back-to-back Cane wins. He drove Always a Virgin to the winner's circle last year.

Art Official is looking for some history of his own. The last time the fastest 3- year-old won the Cane was the great Niatross in 1980. The last Meadowlands Pace winner to capture the Cane was On The Road Again in 1984.

Some of the greatest pacers in harness racing history, Niatross, Albatross (1971), Bret Hanover (1965), Adidos Butler (1959) and Cam Fella (1981) have etched their names on the winner's trophy.

Freehold Raceway has been hosting the Cane since 1998.

The other two legs of the Pacing Triple Crown are the Little Brown Jug and the Messenger Stakes. The Jug will be run on Sept. 18 at the Delaware Fairgrounds in Ohio and the Messenger Stakes is Oct. 18 at Yonkers Raceway.

Since its inception in 1956 10 horses have the Triple Crown starting with Adios Butler. The most recent winner was No Pan Intended in 2003.

The Cane Pace will be part of a big Labor Day stakes card at Freehold. In addition to the Triple Crown race there will be the $130,000 Battle of Freehold for 2- year-old pacers and the $145,000 Shady Daisy for 3-year-old filly pacers.