Battle of Preferred Winners at Freehold Friday

Freehold Raceway will host their fourth Preferred Handicap trot of the calendar year this Friday (January 31), and the winners of the prior three editions are coming back for another shot at glory.

 

Inukchuk Chuck won the Preferred on January 3, for his second win in a row at the class. Since then, he’s tried his luck three times in a row at Yonkers Raceway, without much success. Trainer Nick Surick is persumably hoping the tides turn with a return to Freehold. Andy Miller is named to drive from post position four.

 

Magic MVP got the job done on January 17, rallying up the passing lane to win by a neck. Last week, he made a strong wide rally to finish third in the Preferred. He’ll leave from post position six this week, with driver Pat Berry back in the sulky for trainer Miriam Kraemer. 

 

Freehold-loving veteran Dot Dot Dot Dash won the Preferred last week, scoring by a neck in 1:57.2. She’ll seek a repeat triumph this week from post position eight. Chase Vandervort will drive for trainer Leah Vandervort.

 

Two horses who qualified last week at Freehold also profile as contenders. Rock of Cashel edged Southwind Cruze by a neck in a qualifier on January 24, with both horses being timed in 2:02.1. The former will leave from post position five for trainer Mark Harder, making his first start since November 6. Last year, he won seven races and earned more than $86,000. The latter has hit the board in his last three starts at Yonkers Raceway, most recently losing by two lengths in a solid time of 1:55.3. Joe Bongiorno is in the bike from post position seven, for trainer Jenn Bongiorno. 

 

Caviar Star, Abbie’s Celticlass, and Mugshot Jess complete the field. The Preferred is scheduled as the seventh race on the card, with a listed post time of 2:30 PM EST.

 

The first of nine races at Freehold on Friday is scheduled for 12:30 PM EST.