Freehold, NJ--Powerful Toy, winless in 10 starts this season, survived an objection to capture Monday afternoon's $331,350 Cane Pace Final in a stakes record equalling 1:51.4 at Freehold Raceway.

Chris Christoforou, the driver of runnerup Astreos, claimed that Powerful Toy had caused interference and impeded his progress in the stretch. However, the Freehold judges disallowed the claim.

Powerful Toy is now eligible for the $250,000 Triple Crown bonus...all he has to do is win both the $450,000 Little Brown Jug at Delaware, Ohio on September 21 and the $400,000 Messenger Pace on October 14 at Ladbroke at The Meadows.

Luc Ouellette drove the winner for trainer Monte Gelrod and the Newman Racing, Dodge A Bullet and Sampson Street Stables. The victory gives Powerful Toy career earnings of $508,403, with $209,766 coming this season.

Powerful Toy, a son of Jate Lobell bred by Whitehorse Farms, charged to the lead from his No. 4 post position and was on top, but on the outside, at the :27 second first quarter. By the :55.3 half, 9-5 favorite Astreos had moved into second place on the outside, where they stayed through the 1:23.1 three-quarters and into the stretch on the half-mile track.

With Powerful Toy on the inside and Astreos outside of him, the two dueled down the stret ch, with Powerful Toy a half length the best at the finish in 1:51.4. The clocking equaled the time posted by Astreos in last week's Cane elimination. Astreos started the Cane Final from the outside No. 8 post position.

The winner, who had finished second to Astreos in last week's stakes record mile, returned $11.80, 5.60, 4.20. Astreos was worth $4.20, 3.20, and Art Dot Com was $5.40 for third. Tyberwood, who also won an elimination, finished fourth and Aint No Stopn Him was fifth.

The top five finishers are all eligible to the Little Brown Jug.