Saturday's featured race at Freehold Raceway will be a $14,000 Invitational Handicap Pace, which will offer a full field of eight starters.
The race features an interesting matchup: Freehold veteran Lyons Steel against up-and-comer Rollwithpapajoe.
Rollwithpapajoe will be making his four-year-old debut for trainer Jenn Bongiorno. As a three-year-old, the bay gelding won three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes before finishing third in the final at Batavia Downs on September 14. He wrapped up his sophomore campaign with a win in the Simpson at Harrah's Philadelphia on September 21. To prep for his return, he qualified at Freehold last week and paced his mile in 1:53.3. Joe Bongiorno will drive from the outside post position.
Lyons Steel was dominant two races back at Freehold, when he effortlessly won the Preferred Handicap Pace in 1:53.3 in what was his second start off of a layoff. He'll seek a rebound off of a dull try at the Meadowlands Racetrack last time out. Pat Lachance will be in the bike from Post 7 for trainer Dennis Watson,
Two other recent Preferred winners are set to do battle in the tilt, as well. Lucan Hanover won the Preferred on January 4, back when he was in the care of Nick Surick. Since having been claimed by Eric Ell on February 1, he's had a fourth-place and sixth-place finish at the Meadowlands Racetrack to his credit. He'll seek improvement in his return to Freehold, where he's won four times from six tries. Pat Berry will drive from Post 4.
Shneonucrzydiamnd A was impressive in victory back on January 25 when he captured the Preferred by two lengths in 1:53.2. He was pulled up last time out at Yonkers Raceway on February 8, and qualified in 1:54.3 at Freehold last Friday. Eric Goodell has been named to drive from Post 6 for trainer Ross Croghan.
Art Scene, Ozone Blue Chip, Newbie, and Soho Lennon A complete the field. The race will face the gate for the ninth race on the 13-dash Saturday program (post time for the tilt is approximately 3:10 p.m. (EST).
Racing at Freehold on Saturday will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)