by Don Bielak , Freehold Raceway Publicity Director

FREEHOLD, NJ – – Carlspur, driven by Steve Salerno, got a pocket trip and rallied to win the featured $18,000 Invitational handicap for pacers at Freehold Raceway on Saturday.

Carlspur was driven quickly from post three at the start and raced in second behind Devils Claw N (David Miller) as that rival led the field through fractions of 26.4, 56, 1:24.1 for the first three-quarters of a mile.

In the stretch, Devils Claw N finally rebuffed the long, first-over challenge of Keystone Rodeo (Ron Pierce) but began to drift out as he tired nearing the wire. Salerno angled Carlspur to the inside and the eight-year-old Carlsbad Cam stallion responded to strong right-hand urging and caught Devils Claw N in the final strides to win by a nose in 1:53.2. It was another one and three-quarters lengths back to a late-arriving Desert Sign (Jeff Gregory), who finished third.

Carlspur, who is owned by Salerno-trezza Partners and trained by Tony Salerno, was overlooked in the wagering and rewarded his supporters with a win mutuel of $26.00.

The race was named in honor of the late Bobby Cotton, Jr. Cotton, a young, up-and-coming driver at Freehold, was killed in a tragic automobile accident several years ago.