by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway

Freehold, NJ — Fresh off a powerful victory in last week’s preliminary round, Mark Ford’s Comin Ashore has been installed as the solid, 7-5 morning line choice in the $11,150 final of the Stewart Hanover Pacing Series at Freehold Raceway on Wednesday.

Comin Ashore’s win in a division of last week’s leg of the Stewart Hanover was ultra-impressive. The eight-year-old Shore Patrol gelding took the lead at the quarter-mile mark and stayed in front thereafter, scoring a three length tally in 1:55.3. A repeat of that fine performance should be all that’s needed for him to prevail in the series finale.

Daniel Dube, who guided Comin Ashore in last week’s triumph, has been given the return assignment by Ford, who doubles as trainer for Comin Ashore. The duo will leave the gate from post six.

At 5-2 morning line odds, the main threats to the favorite figure to be the Chris Marino-conditioned entry of Cam’s Laughing Boy and Lucky Twenty Two.

Cam’s Laughing Boy comes into Wednesday’s feature off victories in divisions of the two preliminary rounds of the Stewart Hanover. All told, the eight-year-old gelded son of Die Laughing has won seven of 11 outings this year and $13,332 in purses.

Cam’s Laughing Boy has drawn post two for the final and will be handled by Jason Beattie.

Racing against Comin Ashore last week, Lucky Twenty Two attempted to mount a stretch rally but hung and finished fourth at 6-1. The seven-year-old Cam’s Card Shark gelding has had much better success this season — he has won half of his 10 starts — and could land a share of the final with a carefully rated drive.

Lucky Twenty Seven will start from post four. Jim Pantaleano, who has handled Lucky Twenty Seven in all of his charted races this season, will be in the sulky.

Rounding out the field for the main event are Mister Dale N, Hana Highway, Mr Music, Suffolk and Agassi.

Freehold’s 13 race Wednesday slate will get underway with a first post of 12:30 p.m.