Freehold, NJ -- (Sports Network) - Art Official, the Meadowlands Pace winner, made a successful beginning Monday in his quest for this year's Triple Crown with a win in the 54th Cane Pace at Freehold Raceway. The $392,850 one-mile race is the first leg of the Pacing Triple Crown.

The second leg of the Triple Crown, the Little Brown Jug, is set for Thursday, September 18 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio, and the Messenger Pace, will be Saturday, October 25 at Yonkers Raceway. No Pan Intended was the last horse to complete the Triple Crown sweep in 2003.

Driven by Ron Pierce, Art Official took the lead the first time the eight- horse field went up the backstretch on the half-mile track. The 3-5 favorite was never headed once he took the lead from Badlands Nitro.

Art Official controlled the race through the second half-mile and held off Badlands Nitro to post a neck victory over the 6-5 second choice. Finishing third was Moon Beam with Mccedes fourth.

The time for the Cane Pace was 1:51 1/5.

The win gave driver Pierce his fourth Cane Pace victory. Art Official, trained by Joe Seekman for Sawgrass Farms, adds $197,000 to his 2008 bankroll which now totals $1,197,000. He has won 10 of 15 starts this year, including his last five.

Art Official paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10. Badlands Nitro, who was coupled with Rudy Rednose, returned $2.20 and $2.10, and Moon Beam paid $2.80 to show.