The 12-year-old trotting veteran Meladys Monet is no stranger to winning. He won for the 73rd time in his long career on Friday (April 16), taking the Preferred Handicap Trot at Freehold Raceway by a length.
Off two consecutive wins in upper-level conditioned company at Yonkers Raceway along with two wins in the Preferred Handicap at Freehold earlier this year, Meladys Monet went off as the 1-5 favourite from post position eight. Driver Eric Abbatiello was patient early on, dropping the favourite into fifth position nearing the opening quarter.
As they headed to the half-mile point, Abbatiello moved Meladys Monet to the outside and began the first-over grind after the leader, Winneress. Winneress held the lead as they rounded the final turn, but in the last sixteenth, Meladys Monet wore him down. He crossed the finish line a length in front, stopping the clock in 1:58.
One of the east coast s top trotters makes his return to Freehold Raceway on Friday (April 16), as Meladys Monet looks for his third win at Freehold this year.
Meladys Monet was assigned the outside post position in the eight-horse Preferred Handicap trot, but nevertheless looms as a serious contender. In his 12-year-old season, this Hermann Heitmann-trained gelding continues in fine form, with five wins from 10 starts on the year. He enters this race on a two-race winning streak at Yonkers Raceway. He s won twice at Freehold this year, taking the Preferred Handicap on Jan. 15 and Jan. 22.
Eric Abbatiello, who drove him to victory in those two starts, will once again be in the sulky.
Obrigado has been perfect so far in 2021, with two wins in Freehold Raceway s Preferred Handicap Trot. He will try to make it three in a row on Friday (Jan. 29), and is once again likely to be a big favourite.
Co-owned and trained by Paul Kelley, Obrigado is one of the classiest trotters on the east coast, having won 55 times in his career including numerous major stakes wins and boasting earnings of almost $2 million. So far in his 11-year-old season, he has won two Freehold Preferred Handicaps while leading at every point of call. He will try to do it again from post position eight with Dan Dubé listed to drive.