By:Don Bielak, Freehold Raceway Publicity Director
FREEHOLD, NJ – – Perretti Racing Stable, Schnittker and Rizzo’s Self Obsessed, with Hall of Fame reinsman Cat Manzi in the sulky, led for most of the mile and captured the $75,000 final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old NJ-sired colt and gelding trotters at Freehold Raceway on Friday.
Self Obsessed took the lead from his stablemate, Armbro Barrister (Ray Schnittker) just past the opening quarter, which was timed in 29.1.
From that point on, the son of Self Possessed set all the fractions, passing the midway point of the mile in 58.4 and the three-quarter mile mark in 1:27.4 before stopping the timer in 1:57.2 for the mile. Jailhouse Joey (Ron Pierce), who had waged a first-over battle from the half-mile mark, battled gamely to the wire but finished a half-length behind Self Obsessed. Armbro Barrister lasted for the show spot, one and one-half lengths behind the winner.
The victory, which made Self Obsessed the fall NJSS champion in his division, was his eighth in 16 starts this season. Closing as the 1-2 favorite, coupled with Armbro Barrister, the Paul Doherty trainee returned $3.00 to win.
Manzi had a banner day with five wins on the Freehold card. In addition to his victory aboard Self Obsessed, the 54-year-old resident of Freehold tallied with Proxahantis ($8.60), Star Of Stoney A ($4.00), Pondo Trisity ($7.20) and Turn It On ($6.00).
Manzi currently leads the driver standings at Freehold. He has been the top winning driver at the raceway 17 times.