Freehold, NJ — Lyons Steel has been one of the hottest pacers on the east coast as of late, with four consecutive victories under his belt. He’ll seek to make it five on Saturday (Dec. 7) at Freehold Raceway, as he takes on seven challengers in the Preferred Handicap Pace.

The Dennis Watson-trained gelding is no stranger to Freehold: he’s won four races here this year. Three starts back, he won the Preferred by three-quarters of a length in a gate-to-wire effort, 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 was assigned the outside post position eight for his return to the New Jersey half-miler, with Jack Baggitt Jr. down to drive.

Perhaps the toughest of his opponents will be Ginger Tree Marty, for Ron Burke. He was bet down to 4/5 in his most recent start at Freehold, but finished a fast-closing second behind Lyons Steel. He’ll seek a rebound off an eighth-place finish at The Meadowlands last week, from post position six.

Three recent Freehold winners will also try their luck. Bullet Bob, a recent winner of the non-winners of $5,000 class, and a two-time winner of the Preferred last year, drew post position three. Austin Siegelman drives for trainer Mark Harder.

Northern Virgin won the  non-winners of $6,000 class at 12-1 two races ago, and returns from a sixth-place finish at Yonkers. Steve Smith will drive for Nick Surick.

Andy Miller is named on Surick’s other entrant, Rockin M, who won the Preferred over this track on Oct. 5. He won the non-winners of $8,000 by three-quarters of a length last week.

Drinkin Again, Texican N, and Letschasethedreamn complete the field.

The race is scheduled as the seventh on the ten-race card, with an approximate post time of 2:30 p.m.

The first post at Freehold on Saturday is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (EST).