Freehold, NJ — Freehold Raceway drew a field of eight for the weekly renewal of the Preferred Handicap Pace this Saturday (Feb. 22).

An Australian invader, Major Pocket A, was assigned the outside post position for trainer Chris Scicluna and driver Dan Dube. He qualified for the first time stateside on Feb. 8, finishing second by a neck to the excellent pacing mare Imprincessgemma A in 1:55.4. Last year in Australia, he finished in the top two 15 times in 26 starts, while earning almost $62,000.

Ozone Blue Chip will seek a breakthrough in the Preferred after numerous tries at the level, leaving from post position seven for Pat Berry and Ron Coyne Jr. Last week, he finished second at 30-1 behind Lyons Steel. He hasn’t won yet this year, but has finished second three times, while earning $9,585.

The rest of the field consists of, from the inside out, Texican N, Newbie, Rancousy, Bronskimackenzie A, Art Scene, and Winning Linc. The race is scheduled as the eighth on the 12-race program, with a listed post time of 2:50 p.m.

The first race on the Saturday card at Freehold will be at 12:30 p.m. (EST).