Our White Knight Takes Freehold Turkey Trot

Freehold Raceway hosted the “Turkey Trot” on Friday (November 26), as part of a fundraiser for Freehold Open Door sponsored by Peter and Mary Grandich.

 

The Turkey Trot, a Preferred Handicap trot, went to favored Our White Knight, for trainer Scott DiDomenico and driver Joe Bongiorno. Leaving from post position five, Bongiorno took his drive off the pace and rated him towards the back of the pack, while virtually everyone else challenged for the lead. As they neared the half-mile point, Bongiorno moved off the pylons and moved boldly for the lead on the outside. He took control as they rounded the far turn and drew off for a 3 1/2-length. 

 

Our White Knight trotted the mile over a fast track with a one-second variant in 1:58. He’s owned by Triple D Stables, and has now won four times on the year from 30 starts.

 

Following the race, the Grandiches made a blanket presentation. Former New Jersey Devil Jim Dowd and ex-New York Ranger Ron Greschner were on hand for the ceremony.

 

Later in the day, Milady Denver A pulled off a mild 8/1 upset in the Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap pace. Eric Abbatiello sent her to the lead from post position four, and she established command by the time they hit the first quarter mark. Although favored Dbldelitebrigade N charged hard at her in the stretch, the wire came in time for Milady Denver A, who won by a neck in 1:57.3. The winning mare is owned by the Ettore Annunizata Rev Tr and trained by Mike Annunizata.

 

Jack Pelling won four races on the Friday card. He took the first three on the day, winning race 1 with Ted Suleski-trained Nine Ways, race 2 on Betziesbookinit, for trainer Travion Jones, and race 3 on Maydaymaverickhope, trained by John Pyott. He completed the grand slam in race 10, guiding That’smytype to victory for owner/trainer Dominik Miga.

 

Live racing continues at Freehold on Saturday (November 27), with an 11-race card starting at about 12:30 PM.