Trainer Bill MacKenzie and driver Dan Dubé are no strangers to success together at Freehold Raceway. They teamed up for a win in the Saturday (Jan. 2) feature, as No Easy Day won the $12,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.
Sent off as the second choice at 2.4-1, Dubé took back at the start and put his charge in fourth early on. Around the half-mile, after waiting behind a :28.2 quarter and a :58 half, Dubé elected to move No Easy Day first-over.
As they moved up the backstretch the final time, No Easy Day began breathing down the neck of early leader Drinkin Again. Just after passing that point in 1:26.2, Dubé seized command with No Easy Day. He then fended off a challenge from 2.1-1 favourite Mohawk Warrior for a 1-1/4-length victory in 1:54.3.
No Easy Day is co-owned by Vincent Ali and Alma Iafelice. He has won 16 times from 74 starts, earning more than $217,000 in the process.
Dubé won four races in total on Saturday. He teamed up with MacKenzie in race three as well, scoring with Lettuceriprita A. He got the double with Shneonucrzydiamnd in the seventh race for owner-trainer Michael Hall. No Easy Day was his third win of the afternoon; the grand slam was completed in race 12 on Izzy Estrada trainee Na Na Na Baatman.
Freehold had a strong business day on Saturday, as the 13-race card handled $701,670. The first two days of the 2021 racing season have handled more than $1.3 million.
Live racing resumes on Thursday (Jan. 7), with a 10-race card beginning at 12:30 p.m. There will be a $1,355.51 carryover in the Pick-5.
(Freehold Raceway)