Lyons Steel has been one of the hottest pacers on the east coast as of late, as he has recorded four consecutive victories. He'll seek to make it five on Saturday at Freehold Raceway, as he is set to take on seven challengers in the Preferred Handicap Pace.
The Dennis Watson-trained gelding is no stranger to Freehold – he's won four races there this year. Three starts back, Lyons Steel won the Preferred by half a length in a gate-to-wire effort by storming to a fast early lead and holding on for the win. Since that victory, he's shipped to Harrah's Philadelphia and Yonkers Raceway, and won at both tracks. He has been assigned the outside Post 8 for his return to the New Jersey half-miler and Jack Baggitt Jr. has been listed to drive.
Perhaps the toughest of his opponents will be Ginger Tree Marty, for Ron Burke. He was bet down to 4-5 favouritism in his most recent start at Freehold, but finished a fast-closing second behind Lyons Steel. He'll be seeking a rebound from an eighth-place finish at the Meadowlands Racetrack last week. He will be starting from Post 6 on Saturday.
Three recent Freehold winners will also try their luck. Bullet Bob, a recent winner of the NW $5,000 class, and a two-time winner of the Preferred last year, drew Post 3. Austin Siegelman drives for trainer Mark Harder.
Northern Virgin won the NW $6,000 class at 12-1 two races ago, and will be returning from a sixth-place finish at Yonkers. Steve Smith will drive for Nick Surick.
Andy Miller has been named on Surick's other entrant, Rockin M, who won the Preferred at Freehold on October 5. He won the NW $8,000 by three quarters of a length last week.
Drinkin Again, Texican, and Letschasethedreamn complete the field. The race has been scheduled as the seventh on the ten-race card and carries an approximate post time of 2:30 p.m. (EST).
First post at Freehold on Saturday is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold Raceway)