Freehold Raceway will present its fourth Preferred Handicap Trot of the calendar year this Friday (Jan. 31), and the winners of the prior three editions are coming back for another shot at glory.
Inukchuk Chuck captured the Preferred on January 3, which was his second win in a row at the class. Since then he's tried his luck three consecutive times at Yonkers Raceway without much success. Trainer Nick Surick is presumably hoping the tides will turn with a return to Freehold. Andy Miller has been named to drive from Post 4.
Magic MVP got the job done on January 17 when he rallied up the passing lane to win by a neck. He made a strong wide rally to finish third in the Preferred last week. He'll start from Post 6 this week and driver Pat Berry is scheduled to be back in the sulky for trainer Miriam Kraemer.
Freehold-loving veteran Dot Dot Dot Dash won the Preferred last week, as she scored by a neck in 1:57.2. She'll seek a repeat triumph this week from Post 8. Chase Vandervort will drive for trainer Leah Vandervort.
Two horses who qualified last week at Freehold also profile as contenders. Rock Of Cashel edged Southwind Cruze by a neck in a qualifier on January 24 in 2:02.1. Rock Of Cashel will start from Post 5 for trainer Mark Harder and will be making his first pari-mutuel start since November 6. Last year, he won seven races and earned more than $86,000. Southwind Cruze has hit the board in his last three starts at Yonkers Raceway. He most recently lost by two lengths in 1:55.3. Joe Bongiorno will be in the bike from Post 7 for trainer Jenn Bongiorno.
Caviar Star, Abbies Celticlass, and Mugshot Jess complete the field. The Preferred is scheduled as the seventh race on the card, with a listed post time of 2:30 p.m. (EST).
The first of nine races at Freehold on Friday is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)