by Don Bielak , Freehold Raceway Publicity Director

FREEHOLD, NJ – – Owner/trainer Carl Cito, Jr.’s Desert Sign, driven by Catello Manzi, led every step of the way as he scored a decisive victory in the featured $18,000 Invitational handicap for pacers at Freehold Raceway on Saturday.

Desert Sign left the gate alertly to get the lead from post five and set fractions of 28, 56.2, 1:25.2 before checking in four lengths in front in a final time of 1:54.2. A late-arriving Laag Text (Jim Morrill, Jr.) finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Signatory (Howard Parker), who finished third.

The victory was the ninth in 29 outings this season for Desert Sign. The five-year-old son of Life Sign closed as the 13-10 favorite in the wagering and returned $4.60 to win.

Manzi, fresh off seven driving victories at Freehold on Friday afternoon, topped that performance on Saturday. In addition to his win with Desert Sign in the featured race, the 16-time Freehold driving champ scored with Emmzed N ($3.00), Elmo Goes West ($6.40), Star Of Stoney A ($3.20), Sudden Strike ($13.80), Elephants Can Fly ($6.80), Franco Sequel N ($4.00) and Ulrick Et Alvarez ($4.20).

Manzi’s eight driving victories on a single card equaled the Freehold track record held jointly by John Campbell (1986) and Jack Moiseyev (1995).