Drinkin Again picked up another victory at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (March 27), winning the Preferred Handicap pace for his third win in his last four starts.

Last week, Drinkin Again won an upper-level conditioned pace at 35/1, coming from behind to win by a nose. Off that win, he was the 2/1 second choice in the field of seven for the Preferred Handicap. Leaving from post position five, driver Eric Abbatiello dropped him into the three-hole, close to early leaders Dongal Rundlscrk N and Lively Rocket. Although Drinkin Again was anxious to move, Abbatiello stayed patient and kept him inside early on.

Just after the half-mile, Vapour N began to gain ground off the pylons, and Abbatiello decided the moment was right and flushed Drinkin Again to the outside. Nearing three-quarters, Drinkin Again poked a half-length in front of Dongal Rundlscrk N, and took control entering the stretch. Although Vapour N delivered a stiff challenge late, the wire came in time for Drinkin Again, who won by a neck. The final time for the mile was 1:53.3.

Drinkin Again is owned and trained by Phil Jasper. In his career, Drinkin Again has won 20 times from 167 starts, with earnings of more than $240,000.

Vapour N, Dongal Rundlscrk N, Vasari N, Lively Rocket, Outkast Blue Chip, and Tisadream N rounded out the order of finish.

PEARLY “CHIP” ALLEN WINS AHDC TROT AT FREEHOLD WITH LEVITATION

Chip Allen knows that when a driver has the best horse in a race there's only one place to be: the front end. And that is precisely where he put favoured Levitation and they rebuffed all challenges on the way to a 2:00.1 triumph in the $9,000 American Harness Divers Club Trot on Saturday (March 27) at Freehold Raceway.

Despite having to start from post seven, Allen was undaunted and sent the six-year-old Kadabra gelding immediately to the lead when the wings of the mobile starting gate folded and then rebuffed any and all challenges.

The first to move off the pylons was Tony Beltrami but his Big Smoove never looked Levitation in the eye and at the third stanza Allen's charge had complete control. When they rounded the final turn Tony Ciuffetelli, who was enjoying a two-hole journey, moved Someway Same Hall out to challenge as they straightened for home. Levitation was still full of trot and kept Someway Same Hall at bay, winning by a solid length. Big Smoove finished third, two lengths behind the winner.

Levitation is owned and trained by Franz Wolf. He paid $5.60 for win.

Live harness racing at Freehold resumes on Friday, April 2, starting at about 12:30 p.m.

(Freehold / AHDC)