On Friday (April 2) at Freehold Raceway, Obrigado avenged last week's Preferred Handicap Trot defeat with an emphatic 4-3/4 length win, his third in the Freehold Preferred handicap this season.
Driver Dan Dubé sent Obrigado to the lead from post five, but immediately received a challenge on the outside from last week's Preferred Handicap winner, Smalltownthrowdown. That rival made his way to the front just before the opening quarter, but Dubé elected not to retake, instead waiting patiently in the pocket.
As they rounded the far turn, Dubeé decided that the moment was right, and he pulled Obrigado out of the pocket to challenge Smalltownthrowdown for the lead. Without much resistance from the leader, Obrigado took off and drew away, winning as the 11-10 favourite in 1:56.1.
All three of Obrigado's wins this year have come at Freehold Raceway. This was his first victory since Jan. 8, when he won the Preferred Handicap by three lengths. He has earned more than $1.9 million in his career, with 55 victories from 124 starts. He is owned by trainer Paul Kelley in partnership with SRF Stable and Linwood Higgins.
Smalltownthrowdown held on for second, while Allindotime got up for third. Drazzmatazz, Sumatra and Goes Down Smooth completed the order of finish.
Live racing at Freehold continues on Saturday (April 3), with a 12-race card starting at 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)