The entry cup runneth over at Freehold Raceway this Saturday (Dec. 21), with a 12-race card featuring many big fields. Two top-level paces, including a $15,000 Invitational Handicap, will co-headline the program.
A field of eight will contest the Invitational, scheduled as the eighth race. The outside two will likely be the favourites: Sunfire Blue Chip, coming off a third-place finish in the Preferred last week, and Gokudo Hanover, who finished second by a neck in the Preferred at Yonkers Raceway two starts ago. The former is trained by Gary Candell and will leave from post position seven. The latter will start from post position eight for Scott DiDomenico.
Other headliners of that field include Triple Seelester, who has been dominating the claiming classes at Yonkers; Bullet Bob, the runner-up in the Preferred last week; Kimberlee, a mare in sharp form for Åke Svanstedt; and Clint Westwood, a dominant winner in a conditioned class last week.
The Preferred Handicap immediately follows the Invitational, and also drew a field of eight. Ideal One was assigned post position six, and while yet to win a race stateside, the Doug Dilloian trainee qualified sharply at Freehold back in November.
Mako Banner and Western Bayama, both coming from Harrah's Philadelphia, were also assigned towards the outside. The former won a conditioned contest there four starts ago, and finished third after a rough trip last out. He'll leave from post seven for trainer Mike Russo. Ken Tisa sends out the latter, who comes off four consecutive claims at the Pennsylvania oval. He's won four out of his last five starts, to boot.
The first race at Freehold on Saturday is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Eastern.
(Freehold Raceway)