Freehold Raceway concluded the 2022 racing season last Saturday and it was a year that included a phenomenal stakes schedule and great betting opportunities for fans.
The signature races at Freehold Raceway, the Lady Suffolk and the Dexter Cup, were held on the first Saturday in May. In the Lady Suffolk, Little Pink Lies got the job done for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt. The Dexter Cup, the first step on the Road to the Hambletonian, saw five of the eight trotters make breaks throughout the race, but Brave By Design stayed flat and worked out the trip to win for the brother-sister duo of driver Joe Bongiorno and trainer Jenn Bongiorno.
There were two clear runaway leaders in the driver standings in 2022 as Jim Marohn Jr. captured his first driving title with 155 trips to the winner’s circle on the year. The 2021 leading driver, Austin Siegelman, chased him all season, but had to settle for second with 144 wins in the end. There was a long gap back to Vinny Ginsburg in third with 61 wins on the year.
The training race was won convincingly by Paul Fusco, who finished the year with 56 winners. A very tight battle ensued behind Fusco, with 2021 leading trainer Izzy Estrada claiming second with 28 wins. There was a tie for third as both Candace Brandstatter and Edwin Quevedo sent out 27 winners in 2022.
While the 2022 racing season has concluded, there will be no break in the action at Freehold as live racing rolls on immediately. Live racing will take place at Freehold Raceway on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the first five months of 2023, up through and including May 27. Following the usual summer break, racing will resume on Aug. 25 and continue on Fridays and Saturdays until Dec. 30. Five Thursdays will be added to the fall racing schedule on Sept. 14, 21 and 28, and Oct. 5 and 12. First post time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. every live racing day.
(Freehold Raceway)