Freehold, NJ — After two near-misses in the Preferred Handicap Pace at Freehold Raceway in his first two starts of 2022, Haggard broke through in a big way this Saturday (Jan, 15), scoring a 38-1 upset by a head.

The 5-year-old gelding was sent off as the biggest longshot in the field of eight. He was taken back into seventh early on by Troy Beyer, and moved third-over towards the lead as they rounded the third turn. Moving up the backstretch the final turn, Haggard began to find his best gear, and Beyer angled him three-wide for a shot at the lead. He rushed up to the front and poked a head in front as they entered the stretch.

In the last sixteenth, Haggard took the lead, but had to fend off favored On Accident, who was flying down the center of the track. It was close, but the wire came in time for Haggard.

Haggard is owned by Jeff Webster and trained by John Bavosi. He’s won nine times from 44 races lifetime, with earnings of over $72,000.

Live racing resumes at Freehold next Thursday (Jan. 20), with an 8-race card starting at about 12:30 p.m.