Two weeks ago, Top Flight Angel went off at 4-5 in the Preferred Handicap Trot at Freehold Raceway, got parked the whole way, and finished sixth. Anyone who still believed was well rewarded this Friday (May 28), as he bounced back to win this week's Preferred Handicap by three-quarters of a length at 10-1.
Leaving from post position six in the eight-horse field, Tyler Miller dropped his horse towards the back of the pack early on, then moved second-over behind a parked-out rival nearing the opening half mile. As they neared three-quarters, the flow began to pick up, and Top Flight Angel was thrust into contention.
Rounding the final turn, Miller angled Top Flight Angel three-wide, and he took control entering the stretch. After fending off some mild challenges, he crossed the wire three-quarters of a length in front, stopping the clock in 1:58.2.
Top Flight Angel is owned by Legendary Standardbred Farm and trained by Julie Miller. It was his first win of the year and his 18th win lifetime from 85 starts. In his career, he's earned more than $951,000.
Drazzmatazz, Magic MVP, Slated To Win, Casino Cutie It, New Heaven, Windsong Pioneer and Smalltownthrowdown completed the order of finish. The top four finishers all went off at more than 10-1; the 10-cent superfecta paid $1,902.18.
Top Flight Angel's win triggered a Pick-4 payoff of $5,040.30 to two winning tickets. The early Pick-4 had a carryover of $1,752.49 and attracted more than $11,000 in new money.
Live racing at Freehold continues on Saturday (May 29), with the final card of the 2021 winter/spring meet. First post time is at about 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)