Magic MVP got a superstar-quality trip in the Preferred Handicap trot at Freehold Raceway on Friday, and used it to full advantage en route to rallying late for the victory.
Sent off as the 9-5 second choice, the five-year-old gelding was dropped into the pocket early by driver Pat Berry. He rated off favoured Zagster, as the leader set fractions of :28.3 for the quarter and :58.4 for the half. Zagster tried to get away from the field as they rounded the final turn, but Magic MVP stayed close and never left the pylons.
In the stretch, Zagster still held a comfortable lead, but Berry switched his drive to the passing lane and took his shot. Magic MVP rallied strongly toward the pylons, and got up for the victory by a neck. He trotted the mile in 1:58. Zagster held on to second, while 39-1 Caviar Star was third.
That was Magic MVP's 2020 debut, coming off a 2019 where he was 3-for-21 with earnings of more than $69,000. He's owned by Midnight Stables LLC and trained by Miriam Kraemer.
Live racing continues at Freehold on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
(With files from Freehold)