Twin B Joe Fresh blasts by older rivals to win FanDuel Championship

Saturday, November 25, 2023

In the compact combat of a five-horse field, driver Dexter Dunn coasted mid-stretch with Twin B Joe Fresh to make the filly the first 3-year-old to win the $175,000 FanDuel Championship Open Mares Pace on Saturday (Nov. 25) at the Meadowlands in 1:50.2.

Racine Bell, Twin B Joe Fresh and Mikala left quickly to dispute the early lead. Mikala (George Brennan) pushed hard to take the lead with Racine Bell and favorite Twin B Joe Fresh settling on the pylons in third. Max Contact and Boudoir Hanover marched fourth and fifth, respectively.

Mikala was all-out to keep the lead, clocking the first half in :56.1 without movement from the others. She cut three-quarters in 1:25 as Twin B Joe Fresh eased off the pylons in a move to catch her older opponent. Mikala was caught easily as Twin B Joe Fresh rolled freely and broke the beam in 1:50.2, winning by 2-1/4 lengths.

Shooting well off the pace five-wide, 26-1 shot Boudoir Hanover (Todd McCarthy) had much left to eclipse Max Contract’s late appearance. Boudoir Hanover finished second by a neck over Max Contract (Andy Miller). Racine Belle took fourth and Mikala finished last after rating the early pace.

Trainer Chris Ryder said he was “impressed at the list of past winners,” considering Twin B Joe Fresh beat elders in the event.

“I was a bit concerned at the half when she was still in third,” he said, “but I knew she’s got speed and she’s got a good brush and is so good up the straight.”

“She’s pretty sharp,” Dexter Dunn said about the victory over older mares, but it was “tough work against a strong field.”

Chris Ryder and Dexter Dunn own Twin B Joe Fresh, a daughter of prolific sire Roll With Joe, with Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak. This was the 11th win in 16 starts at three for Twin B Joe Fresh, who has now earned $1,440,203.

Twin B Joe Fresh paid $3.80 to win.