from Freehold Raceway

Freehold, NJ — Since 1993 when the Dexter Cup moved to Freehold Raceway, no trainer has won more Cups than Ray Schnittker. In the 2010 version of the $156,000 event for 3-year-old trotters, Schnittker will have three chances to win the race for the sixth time.

Shaq Is Back, fresh off a victory in the Dexter elimination by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:57.2, leads a strong threesome into the race with George Brennan at the helm. Brennan won the Dexter Cup three straight years from 2005–2007.

Also carrying the Schnittker flag is Flex The Muscle with David Miller up and Big Stick Lindy with Schnittker doing the piloting himself. Flex The Muscle comes off a strong winning effort in 1:55.1 at Pocono Downs against conditioned trotters and Big Stick Lindy won at Saratoga in 1:58.1 in his only start this year.

Trainer Jimmy Takter’s hopes are with Senor Glide with Daniel Dube driving. Senor Glide was the runner-up to Shaq Is Back in the Dexter elimination.

Takter is looking for his fourth Dexter Cup victory, previously winning it with Anders Bluestone in 2009, Holiday Credit in 2008 and Mr Lavec in 1994.

Here is the Dexter Cup field by post position, with driver and morning line odds: Indefensible (post 1), Ron Pierce, 10-1; Celebrity Blue Chip (post 2), Tim Tetrick, 8-1; Take My Picture (post 3), Cat Manzi, 5-1; Flex The Muscle (post 4), David Miller, 8-5; Shaq Is Back (post 5), George Brennan, 8-5; Mamas Boo Bear (post 6), Steve Smith, 6-1; Senor Glide (post 7), Daniel Dube, 4-1; and Big Stick Lindy (post 8), Ray Schnittker, 8-5.

The Dexter Cup is part of a big 13-race card on Saturday, with first race post set for 12:30 p.m. As an added bonus, all patrons who purchase a Freehold live program on Saturday will receive a choice of a grab bag giveaway item.