Rather than accept a bye and guarantee himself two Dexter Cup final starters, Ake Svanstedt decided to let Incommunicado compete in Saturday s (April 24) Dexter Cup elimination at Freehold Raceway.
The gamble paid off, as Incommunicado cruised under the wire 2-3/4 lengths in front and established himself as one of the favourites for next week s Dexter Cup final.
When the entry box closed on Wednesday, ten horses were entered for the Dexter Cup. Svanstedt was offered two byes with his pair of Ambassador Hanover and Incommunicado, and while he accepted the bye with the former, he decided to race Incommunicado. The Massachusetts Sire Stakes champion was made the 8/5 second choice in the field of eight.
Trainer Tom Fanning had a big day at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (February 27), winning three races on the 13-race card.
Fanning won with all three of his starters. He scored his first win in race 6, as Tisadream N just got up for the victory as the 2/5 favourite over Dreamfair Charro. Austin Siegelman had the winning drive. In the seventh race, he scored an upset, as 31/1 mare Ashtini defeated the boys in a gate-to-wire score with driver Eric Abbatiello. Two races later, Fanning completed the hat trick as Betting Exchange went gate-to-wire as the favourite. Siegelman once again had the drive.
Many of Freehold Raceway s regulars were in the spotlight this Saturday (January 9), as Freehold kicked off the Harold Kelly Memorial Pacing Series.
Local horsemen flooded the box for the first leg of this series, which is restricted to horses and geldings owned, sired, or foaled in New Jersey. The first division, restricted to horses with a TrackMaster Horse Rating between 68.00 and 71.50, attracted 23 entries, and was split up into three races.
Reuben Tune Ups took his division of the first leg at 9-1, taking charge after the three-quarter point and holding on. He went the mile in 1:58, for owner/trainer Ann DePietro and driver Jim Marohn Jr. Officer Blue Chip prevailed in his split, winning a stretch battle with Our Art and Heaven for the 7/1 win. Jack Pelling had the winning drive for owner/trainer John Urbanski., stopping the clock in 1:58.3.
Freehold Raceway hosted a trio of Preferred Handicaps on Saturday - two for pacers, one for trotters. All three saw a horse come from well behind to win.
In the Preferred Handicap trot, Kinda Lucky Lindy rallied from last to win. He was well behind early, and then moved three-wide as they moved up the backstretch the final time. At the top of the stretch, he continued his wide push, and got by favoured Gettin Messi and pace-stalker Deo for the win.
For Kinda Lucky Lindy, that s his third win of the year, pushing his earnings for the season past the $35,000 mark. He s owned by Brian and Ira Wallach, trained by Daniel Renaud, and driven by Dan Dube. He trotted the mile over a good track in 1:59.1.
Tom Melanson photo
Freehold, NJ - Freehold Raceway hosted a trio of harness racing Preferred Handicaps on Saturday (December 26): two for pacers, one for trotters. All three saw a horse come from well behind to win.
In the Preferred Handicap trot, Kinda Lucky Lindy rallied from last to win. He was well behind early, then moved three-wide as they moved up the backstretch the final time. At the top of the stretch, he continued his wide push, and got by favored Gettin Messi and pace-stalker Deo for the win.
For Kinda Lucky Lindy, that s his third win of the year, pushing his earnings for the season past the $35,000 mark. He s owned by Brian and Ira Wallach, trained by Daniel Renaud, and driven by Dan Dube. He trotted the mile over a good track in 1:59.1.