After a one-year hiatus, the Turkey Trot, sponsored by Peter Grandich and Co., returns to Freehold Raceway on Friday (Nov. 26).
This year's Turkey Trot has been scheduled as the seventh race, with a listed post time of 2:30 p.m., and features a field of six Preferred Handicap trotters.
The morning line favourite at 5-2 is Mister Muscle, for owner Mark Beckwith and trainer Paul Fusco. Since joining the Fusco barn earlier in the month, he's hit the board twice at Yonkers Raceway, including a third-place finish against upper-level claimers last out. Brett Beckwith has the drive from post position six.
Two other Yonkers invaders, Windsong Pioneer and Our White Knight, also figure to get some play. Windsong Pioneer has post position four for trainer Paul Stafford and driver Austin Siegelman, and has won eight of 31 on the year. Out White Knight, from post position five, made a strong closing rally to get fourth last out against non-winners of $20,000 types. He has post position five for trainer Scott DiDomenico and driver Joe Bongiorno.
Allindotime, for Bill MacKenzie, Slated To Win, trained by Symon Spicer, and Southwind Frost, a Vincent Stallworth trainee, round out the field. The winner of the race will be presented with a blanket in the winner's circle.
The Friday card also features the Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap Pace. A full field of eight will go postward at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Siegelman had his choice of four horses in here, and he picked Dbldelitebridgade N, from post position seven for trainer Tom Fanning. She's won four times from 26 starts this year, and qualified last week over this track in a sharp 1:57.3. She's the morning line favourite at 7-2.
The second choice at 9-2 is Scandalicious, for DiDomenico and Bongiorno. She won twice in a row at Yonkers earlier in the fall and looks for a rebound after a sixth-place finish last out. Corsini A, who has hit the board in her last five starts for Jeff Smith and Brett Beckwith, and Best Honey Hanover, who won in 1:54.1 at Freehold on October 15 for Edwin Quevedo, also figure to get some play. Tyler Miller has the drive on Best Honey Hanover.
Thaneeya, trained by Lewis Nunes, Anne Bonney N, for trainer Paul Fusco, Chelski, trained by Tom Shay, and Mike Annunziata trainee Milady Denver A round out the octet.
Freehold Open Door, a charity providing food, financial assistance, mentoring and scholarships for local residents, will be at the track on Friday. Fans are encouraged to make a monetary and/or food donation.
Former New York Ranger Ron Greschner and former New Jersey Devil Jim Dowd will be in attendance to support Freehold Open Door, and will be in the winner's circle to make the presentation for the Turkey Trot.
Gates open at Freehold on Friday at 11 a.m. The first of 10 live races is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)