Freehold Raceway fans have known how good Lyons Steel is for a long time. He's won four of his last five races over this track, including a perfect two-for-two mark in 2021.
In recent times, Lyons Steel has enjoyed great success elsewhere as well. He won the Winners-Over Pace at the Meadowlands on Feb. 20 for his second-straight win at that track. On Monday night (March 15), he won a first-leg division for the MGM Borgata series at Yonkers Raceway.
This Saturday (March 20), he returns to Freehold for the Preferred Handicap Pace. He's been assigned post 8 for trainer Dennis Watson. Austin Siegelman, who drove him to victory on Monday at Yonkers, will be in the sulky.
Lyons Steel will face an interesting field of top-level pacers. Two mares have entered: Dongal Rundlscrk N, for trainer Shaun Vallee; and Best Honey Hanover, trained by Edwin Quevedo. Dongal Rundlscrk N was fourth in the Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap at Yonkers last out, and won three races in a row at that track earlier in the year. Best Honey Hanover has won three of her last six between the Meadowlands and Yonkers. They were assigned the inside two posts, respectively.
The field also includes three recent Freehold winners. Tisadream N, from post 3, has been on a hot streak. He's won his last three races at Freehold, including a narrow win at the non-winners of $8,000 last 5 pace last out. Tom Fanning is his trainer.
Soho Chelsea A won at the non-winners of $8,000 last five level two starts back for trainer Travis Kolaczynski. Both of his wins this year have come at Freehold. He'll leave from post 4. Capozzo won a non-winners of $6,000 last five pace gate-to-wire last out, for trainer Tom Shay. He is assigned post 5.
Two of the top trainers in harness racing, Jenn Bongiorno and Ron Burke, each entered a horse. Hot Deuce, making his second start of the year for Team Bongiorno, will leave from post 6. Yankee Roller A represents the Burke Brigade, having won five of his seven races on the year. He is assigned post 7.
The Preferred Handicap will go as the ninth race on the card, with a scheduled post time of 3:10 p.m. (EDT).
The first of 13 races at Freehold on Saturday is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (EDT).
(Freehold Raceway)