Freehold Raceway rang in the new year on Friday (Jan. 1) with a pair of $12,000 Preferred Handicaps. One was won by an established veteran; the other by a possible rising star.

The Preferred Handicap Trot went to Obrigado, who inched his earnings closer to the $2 million mark. Sent off as the 2-5 favourite in the field of seven, he was sent to the front early on from post position six by driver Dan Dubé. He cleared to the front just after the :28.4 quarter and established firm control to slow the pace down in a :59.1 half. Although his rivals made solid moves, Obrigado began to pull away nearing three-quarters. He was in front by two at the top of the stretch, and coasted under the wire three lengths clear. The final time was 1:57.0.

Obrigado's best year was 2016, when he won seven major stakes for older trotters including the TVG Final at The Meadowlands. Last year, as a 10-year-old, he won seven times from 22 starts while earning more than $85,000. He is owned by trainer Paul Kelley in partnership with the SRF Stable and Linwood Higgins.

Three races later, Alexa Skye sought a repeat win in the Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace. The week prior, she rallied from behind to win at 6-1. Bettors thought she would do it again, sending her off as the 6-5 favourite.

As expected, Jack Pelling took her well off the pace, rating behind a quarter of :27.4 and a half mile in :58. Nearing three-quarters, she remained in last, and it looked as if she'd have to make another big comeback if she wanted her second win in a row. Turning for home, her rivals were stacked across the track and Pelling had no choice but to send her six-wide on the final turn. Despite losing so much ground, she was able to sustain her strong rally, and she surged to victory by a half length, stopping the clock in 1:55.4.

Alexa Skye has now won four races in a row and six of her last eight. It wouldn't be surprising to see this newly-turned four-year-old have a very successful campaign this year. She is trained by Brett Pelling for owners Blue Chip Bloodstock and John Lengacher.

(Freehold Raceway)