Major Crocker A Wins Freehold Preferred Handicap

A change of scenery, some time off, and a barn change did the trick for Major Crocker A, as he surged late to win the Preferred Handicap pace at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (November 20).

 

Major Crocker A was claimed out of his last start at Yonkers Raceway on Oct. 18 for $40,000 by Tahnee Camilleri. He got a brief break after that third-place finish, and returned to the track in the Preferred Handicap at Freehold. He went off at 6/1 from post position seven in the eight-horse field. 

 

Luke Hanners rated his drive in last place early on, then moved off the pylons and grabbed third-over cover just before the half-mile point. As they moved up the backstretch the final time, Drinkin Again, last week’s Preferred Handicap winner leading the first-over charge, began to stall, and Hanners was forced to flip Major Crocker A four-wide. 

 

Despite the wide move, Major Crocker A had plenty left for the stretch drive. On Accident, who won the Preferred Handicap two weeks ago, made a nifty move up the pylons to draw into contention. Major Crocker A had more momentum, however, and got up to win by 3/4 of a length, while On Accident held on for second. The final time was 1:54. 

 

Major Crocker A has now won four times this year from 25 starts, with earnings of over $100,000. Lifetime, this 11-year-old gelding has won 40 times from 165 starts, and has earned almost $820,000.

 

Live racing resumes at Freehold Raceway on Friday (November 26), starting at about 12:30 PM. The Friday card is headlined by the “Turkey Trot”, sponsored by Peter Grandich and Co.