With mandatory retirements for 14-year-old horses approaching on December 31, tracks all over the country are holding celebrations of the hard-knocking veterans of the sport. Freehold Raceway is no different, as they will play host to the 'Free-Old' Pace on Saturday. The race is restricted to horses 11 years old or older, and was invite-only.
Two 14-year-olds will take the track for the final time in this race. Bobjacks Angle A, for Steve Smith and Karen Garland, has been in fine form as of late, with three wins in his last five starts. This year, he's won six times in 27 tries, while earning almost $25,000. Lifetime, he's won 34 races in 283 starts, in a career that did not begin until 2012. He's won at least one race every year since then, including a win every year at Freehold since 2016. He will leave from post position three.
The other 14-year-old is Camwiser, for owner/trainer Vincent Valente and driver Jack Baggitt, Jr. He's won four times this year from 41 races, earning $24,175. Since starting his career at Indiana Grand Race Course in 2008, he has won 56 races in 386 starts, with earnings of $224,130. He has won a race in every year of his career but one. For his career finale, he drew post position seven.
The race also features one 13-year-old -- Dirty Devil -- three 12-year-olds -- Here We Go Again, Broadies Song, and Colonial Road -- and two 11-year-olds -- Hello Hot Shot and Woodmere Ultimate. It will go as the fifth race on Saturday, with a scheduled post time of 1:50 p.m.
The first race at Freehold on Saturday will be at 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold)