A field of seven will line up for the Preferred Handicap Pace this Saturday (Dec. 14) at Freehold Raceway, featuring an almost entirely different cast of characters from last week's Preferred.
The outside two horses, both shipping in from Yonkers Raceway, figure to be the favourites. Gokudo Hanover, from the Scott DiDomenico barn, lost the Preferred at Yonkers by a neck on November 16. Last out, he was sixth in an upper-level conditioned race at the New York oval. He has won three races and earned almost $107,000 this year. Pat Berry will drive from post position six.
Sunfire Blue Chip, trained by Gary Candell, was assigned the outside post position. He won an upper-level event at Yonkers by a nose two races back, and finished fifth in the Open last week. Austin Siegelman will be in the bike for the nine-year-old's first trip over the Freehold half-miler.
Hot Deuce has been in sharp form lately, having won three of his last six races. He iis no stranger to Freehold, with two victories at the fall meet. Joe Bongiorno will drive for his sister, trainer Jenn Bongiorno.
Tisadream, shipping from Plainridge Park; Spirit of Truth, a two-time recent winner at Freehold; Shellie De Vie, most recently seventh in the Fillies and Mares Open at Yonkers; and Bullet Bob, fifth in last week's Preferred at Freehold, complete the septet.
The Preferred is scheduled as the eighth race on Friday at Freehold, at approximately 2:50 p.m. Eastern.
The first of 11 races at Freehold on Saturday is listed for 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)