Windsong Pioneer was an appropriately-named winner on a windy day at Freehold Raceway on Friday (April 30), as he pulled away to win the Preferred Handicap Trot in an impressive performance.

A few minutes before the race, a surprise rainstorm swept through Freehold along with high winds. The storm passed just before the field was called to post.

Leaving from post position six, Austin Siegelman hustled his drive to the lead, and cleared to the pylons just after a sharp :28.1 opening quarter. Once he was there, Siegelman slowed things down with Windsong Pioneer, going the half-mile in :58. Nearing three-quarters, Windsong Pioneer began to open up and no one was able to catch him. He crossed the line three lengths in front, trotting the mile in 1:58.1.

Windsong Pioneer is owned by Thomas Ceraso Jr. and trained by Paul Stafford. In his career, he has won 15 times from 66 starts and has earned more than $125,000.

Casino Cutie IT, Levitation, Shoemaker Hanover, Majestic Sunrise N and Allindotime completed the order of finish.

Live racing continues at Freehold on Saturday (May 1), with a 14-race card headlined by the Dexter Cup and the Lady Suffolk for three-year-old trotters. Gates open at 9:45 a.m. for the Kentucky Derby simulcast, with the first live race at 12:30 p.m.

(Freehold Raceway)