Hot Deuce lived up to his 3-5 billing on Saturday at Freehold Raceway, taking the Preferred Handicap pace by four and a half lengths.

Driver Joe Bongiorno blasted off with his drive, sending him hard from post five and putting him on the lead. He went through a quarter in :27.3 and a half in :56.3, not encountering any serious competition. Heading up the backstretch the final time, Shellie De Vie and Sunfire Blue Chip made moves on the outside, but Hot Deuce scooted away from the competition at the three-quarter pole and drew off. He coasted under the wire in 1:54.3 over a sloppy track with a two-second variant.

Bullet Bob saved ground and held second at 8/1. Sunfire Blue Chip, Spirit of Truth, Shellie de Vie, and Tisadream completed the order of finish.

The win was Hot Deuce's eighth of the year, five of which have come at Freehold. He's owned by Robert Weinstein and trained by Jenn Bongiorno.

Live racing resumes at Freehold on Friday, starting at about 12:30 p.m.

(Freehold)