East Rutherford, NJ (My Sportsbook) - Feelin Friskie and Future Destiny recorded major stakes victories Saturday night at The Meadowlands.
Feelin Friskie won the $500,000 New Jersey Classic and Future Destiny captured the $175,000 Miss New Jersey. The New Jersey Classic is for three-year-old male pacers and the Miss New Jersey is for three-year-old pacing fillies.
In the New Jersey Classic Feelin Friskie took the lead in mid-stretch and went on to post a 4 1/4 length win over Artstanding. Finishing third was Western Ace followed by Manhardt, Armbro Deuce, Palone Ranger and Pure Ego Hanover.
The time for the mile was 1:49 1/5.
Feelin Friskie was driven by John Campbell for owner Wayne Whebby and trainer Scott Bell. It was Campbell's fourth win in the New Jersey Classic, including the first in 1980.
"There was a lot of speed on the inside of me, and they were racing hard on the front," Campbell said from the winners circle. "He felt real strong around the last turn. When I spoke to him at the head of the stretch he accelerated well. I was pretty sure he was going to win at that point. He's going to have a chance to be [a top horse]. I don't think we can sort them out until the Meadowlands Pace. He's stamped himself as one who will be a contender if he can hold this form."
The bay colt has now won nine of 17 career starts for more than $350,000. he went off as the 9-5 second choice to 6-5 post-time favorite Western Ace. Feelin Friskie was 9-5 morning line favorite.
Feelin Friskie returned $5.60, $3.20 and $2.20. Artstanding paid $6.00 and $2.80, and Western Ace paid $2.20 for show.
In the Miss New Jersey, Future Destiny caught the pace-setter Ideal Weather in deep stretch to win by less than a length. The time for the one mile was 1:50 3/5.
Future Destiny was driven by Ron Pierce for trainer George Teague, Jr. and an ownership group that includes former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman. The bay filly has now won six of nine lifetime starts for earnings of about $200,000.
"This is a nice filly, always was from day one breaking her to right now here," said Teague.
Following Ideal Weather in the order of finish was Art's Temtress, Katies Western, One Ace Too Many and Mythical. Future Destiny went off as the 7-10 favorite.
Future Destiny returned $3.40, $2.40 and $2.20. Ideal Weather paid $3.00 and $2.80, and Art's Temptress paid $4.40 for show.