Freehold, NJ – After traveling along in the middle of the pack  Dave Offenberg got FiJi up in the final strides to nose-out Southwind Frost (Bob Hechkoff) to win the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club trot today at Freehold Raceway.

Fiji with Dave Offenberg on the lines won Saturday’s feature at Freehold Raceway. Vicki Wright Photo.

Overlooked and sent off at odds of over 17-1 Fiji paid $36.80 for the win.

When the starter turned the seven-horse field loose Jonathan Ahle  sent Trump This immediately to the lead from the five-hole and they had command after they passed the first stanza in :28.4. From there Ahle got his trotter by the half in :58 and they still had command at the three-quarters in 1:28.1, but trouble was lurking. At that point Offenberg moved Fiji off the pylons and headed for the front-end. But when Offenberg moved forward Bob Hechkoff followed him with Southwind Frost and at the top of the lane both trotters were within striking distance of Trump This. When they headed for paydirt the leaders were noses apart and they finished in a tight photo, which after the judges examination, Fiji was declared the winner in the 1:59.1 mile.
Southwind Frost was second best while third place went to My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) who was a scant nose better than Inukchuk Chuck (Paul Minore).

Fiji, a 9-year-old Cantab Hall gelding, is owned by Allister Stables and trained by Noel Daley.