Freehold, NJ — Rather than accept a bye and guarantee himself two Dexter Cup final starters, trainer Ake Svanstedt decided to let Incommunicado compete in Saturday’s (April 24) Dexter Cup elimination at Freehold Raceway. The gamble paid off, as Incommunicado cruised under the wire 2-3/4 lengths in front and established himself as one of the favorites for next week’s Dexter Cup final.

When the entry box closed on Wednesday, 10 horses were entered for the Dexter Cup. Svanstedt was offered two byes with his pair of Ambassador Hanover and Incommunicado, and while he accepted the bye with the former, he decided to race Incommunicado. The Massachusetts Sire Stakes champion was made the 8-5 second choice in the field of eight.

Incommunicado cruised under the wire 2-3/4 lengths in front. Vicki Wright photo.

The complexion of the race changed dramatically in the opening eighth, when favored Ethan T Hanover and Royson’s Punch both went off stride. Ethan T Hanover was pulled up by Todd McCarthy, while Royson’s Punch got back trotting. Incommunicado stayed trotting and was rated in fourth place in the early stages.

Just before the half-mile, Yannick Gingras pulled Incommunicado off the pylons and moved him first over after early leader Share The Wealth. The leader put up a good fight, but Incommunicado took charge entering the stretch and drew off. He trotted the mile in 1:57, a sharp time for his first pari-mutuel race of the year.

Incommunicado is owned by Knutsson Trotting, Little E, Arthur Geiger, and David Stolz. He’s now won five times from 11 career starts, with earnings of $224,492. Along with his stablemate Ambassador Hanover, he gives Svanstedt a formidable pair for next week’s final.

The following horses also advanced to the final: Credit Con, for trainer Todd Buter; Fifty Ways, trained by Joe Columbo; Believer, for trainer Randy Taft; Share The Wealth, trained by Ray Schnittker; and Chapolier, for trainer Trond Smedshammer. Sunny Crockett, trained by Julie Miller, also received a bye and will compete in the final.

The post positions for the Dexter Cup final, along with its filly equivalent, the Lady Suffolk trot, will be drawn next Wednesday.

Live racing resumes at Freehold next Friday (April 30), with a first post time of about 12:30 p.m.