by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ
Manalapan, NJ — Driver Eric Abbatiello and trainer Vincent Fusco, Jr. wrapped up meet titles when Freehold Raceway closed its 2013 season this past Saturday (Dec. 14).
“I believe this is the third consecutive driving title for me at Freehold,” said Abbatiello. “I appreciate the opportunities given to me by the trainers at Freehold.”
Abbatiello held a five-win margin over Jim Pantaleano for the combined January to May and August to December meet.
“My own stable did well this year and a special thanks to my loyal owners,” he noted.
Abbatiello’s stable produced 15 wins from 91 starters for earnings of $87,118.
“Freehold is where I grew up, so it makes it that much more special,” he added.
Abbatiello, who received a degree in philosophy and business from Catholic University, switched from stockbroker and financial planner to harness horseman in 1999. But that was no surprise given his roots. His father, Carmine, and his uncle, Anthony, are both Hall of Fame horsemen.
Abbatiello finished the year with 173 wins at Freehold, holding off Jim Pantaleano with 168 wins. Rounding out the driving Top 5 were Steve Smith, Cat Manzi and Vincent Ginsburg.
Name Starts W P S UDR ITM% Earnings Abbatiello, Eric 956 173 153 132 0.316 48% $743,984 Pantaleano, James 832 168 124 101 0.325 47% $708,351 Smith, Stephen 824 119 102 141 0.270 44% $628,563 Manzi, Catello 511 115 73 65 0.347 50% $448,372 Ginsburg, Vincent 788 90 108 99 0.232 38% $466,075
Topping the trainer standings was Vincent Fusco, Jr. with 65 wins, more than twice Nick Surick’s total of 32 wins. Fusco’s stable earned nearly $236,000 thanks, in part, to an in-the-money percentage of 56 percent.
Name Starts W P S UDR ITM% Earnings Fusco, Vincent Jr 278 65 45 47 0.380 56% $235,908 Surick, Nick 113 32 21 12 0.422 58% $130,949 Garland, Karen 181 31 19 34 0.292 46% $142,946 Mackenzie, William 140 26 27 20 0.340 52% $142,653 Scamporino, Frank Jr 128 23 24 12 0.315 46% $119,480
Live racing returns to Freehold Raceway on Jan. 2, 2014.