Author: By Katie Eick, for Freehold Raceway

The new year is rapidly approaching, which means that 2023 is coming to an end just as quickly. It is time for year-end honors but this year at Freehold Raceway, the title for leading driver has come down to the wire. Jimmy Marohn Jr. was in control of the lead for much of the year, but an injury from an accident at Yonkers in November halted his progress at 131 wins in 2023. Siegelman began the day (Dec. 29) at a total of 125 wins, just six behind Marohn. With the final weekend of racing at the half-mile track upon him, Siegelman decided it was time to kick things into high gear and close the gap. He did so successfully, winning five races on Freehold’s eleven-race Friday (Dec. 29) afternoon card. This puts his total wins up to 130, just one behind the leader.

Freehold, NJ – Matthew Athearn makes most of his driving appearances at Saratoga and Plainridge Park. However, last weekend the 25-year-old from Maine made an appearance at Freehold Raceway. He made his…

Hammered down to 1-5, Chase H Hanover led every step but had to fend off the late challenge of Liteningonthebeach to preserve his victory in Friday’s (Dec. 15) $19,200 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadows.

She Is Strong more than lived up to her name in Monday’s (Dec. 11) $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series final for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Bally’s Dover, delivering a decisive five-length win over stablemate Last Nights Hit and completing a series sweep after similarly facile scores in both preliminary rounds.

After a 25-length romp in first-round action, She Is Strong made easy work of her competition once again in the second leg of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Bally’s Dover, coasting to an easy 1:58 win in her $20,000 preliminary event on Monday (Dec. 4).

Finishing in 12th place in the New York Sire Stakes Excelsior series may not sound all that impressive to the casual observer. However, for small breeders Gary Messenger and Ken Weckstein, it’s the company they keep that sets them apart from the rest.

Art Stafford Jr. swept both $20,000 first-round Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) events for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Monday (Nov. 27) at Bally’s Dover, driving his trainees She Is Strong and Last Nights Hit to victory in their respective divisions.

As the 2023 meet winds down to its final two days, the last top trot of the season was featured at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Nov. 27) and Marquis Lafayette cashed the win check that resulted from his sixth victory of the year in the $25,000 Open trot at The Ridge.