STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33

Manalapan, NJ 07726

Phone: 732-462-2357

Fax: 732-409-0741

STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 

Phone: 732-462-2357 | Fax: 732-409-0741

BACK

VOUKEFALAS VICTORIOUS IN GRADUATE PACE FINAL

Ray Cotolo, for Meadowlands Media Relations • July 7, 2024

A crafty speed steer from Jordan Stratton perched Voukefalas in a pocket spot, from which he pounced to the lead and then lasted to the end of a 1:47.3 mile to win the $230,000 Graduate Pace at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (July 6) ...

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- July 6, 2024 -- A crafty speed steer from Jordan Stratton perched Voukefalas in a pocket spot, from which he pounced to the lead and then lasted to the end of a 1:47.3 mile to win the $230,000 Graduate Pace at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (July 6). 


Starting from post 6, Stratton floated off the wings with Voukefalas while a three-pronged charge barreled for the first turn. Ken Hanover, the 2-1 favorite, grabbed the point out of post 9 in the :26.3 sprint to the first quarter with No Control on his back. But Stratton had Voukefalas rolling on the rim through the turn and promptly planted himself on a brief lead entering the backstretch. 


Once pocketed, Ken Hanover pulled off the pylons and retook control moving for a :54 half. All the while the backfield awaited someone to pull first over, and eventually Huntinthelastdolar made the move out of fourth and began a moderate advance through three-quarters in 1:21.2. Huntinthelastdolar’s bid was brief and he stalled on the turn for home, which gave Stratton clearance to angle outside with Voukefalas and send him into top gear. Voukefalas vaulted past Ken Hanover in the stretch and stayed strong as his competition closed in late stretch to notch the win by three-quarter lengths over No Control, who tipped to the center of the track and rallied for second. Act Fast came from near last for third and Sea Fire rallied off cover for fourth.


“He’s been really good these last couple of weeks going forward and charging at the wire,” winning driver Jordan Stratton said after the race. He’s really come back good as a 4-year-old and it helps racing 4-year-olds. The horse is a dream come true. He shows up every week. It’s been a lifelong dream to win a Grand Circuit race at The Meadowlands and tonight feels great. All the credit goes to the connections and the ownership.


“I was super confident in this whole series with him," trainer Michael Russo said. “In his last two starts here, I thought he was the best each time. He didn’t get a clean trip either time. Going in I thought I could win, I thought I should win, but obviously I thought Ken Hanover was the best when the series started.” 


Voukefalas, a 4-year-old stallion by Lazarus N out of the Cams Fortune mare Inittowinafortune, notched his fourth win on the season and his 11th victory from 28 starts. He’s now banked $733,010 for owner-breeder Michael Pagonas and paid $18.40 to win in his mild upset.

By Courtney Stafford July 2, 2025
Harness Racing Community Celebrates Major Legislative Win as State Renews Full Commitment to Industry Support…
By cstafford June 30, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it has granted certiorari in the challenge brought by the United States Trotting Association (USTA), the States of Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Louisiana, and a group of racetracks, racing associations, and breeders against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), and has vacated the decision and remanded the case for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to reconsider its decision upholding HISA ...
By Ray Cotolo, for The Meadowlands June 29, 2025
The doll of her class as a 2- and 3-year-old, Sylvia Hanover endured many defeats as Twin B Joe Fresh claimed the crown in the 4-year-old campaign in progress to a Horse of the Year title ...
By Frank Cotolo, for The Meadowlands June 29, 2025
Periculum, with Scott Zeron at the reins, fired midstretch from off the pace to carve a 1:50 score in the $164,000 Crawford Farms Open Trot on Saturday (June 28) at The Meadowlands ...
By Ray Cotolo, for The Meadowlands June 29, 2025
Saturday (June 28) saw speedy returning victories by Ken Hanover, a winner once last year from 12 starts in a lifetime-best mile over this track, and 2024 Breeders Crown Open Pace champion Coach Stefanos in their respective $86,500 divisions of the Dave Brower Memorial at The Meadowlands ...
By Frank Cotolo, for Meadowlands Media Relations June 29, 2025
Call Me Goo fought confidently when making two moves in her 1:51.2 winning effort in the $114,500 Six Pack Mare Trot on Saturday (June 28) at The Meadowlands and thrusted herself over the seven-figure earnings plateau in the process ...
More Posts