by Daina Kazmaier, Freehold Raceway publicity assistant
Freehold, NJ — A solid field of seven pacers are set to go in the featured $18,000 Invitational handicap at Freehold Raceway on Saturday.
Keystone Rodeo, the morning line favorite at 3-1, will face the starter after coming off of a blazing 1:53.4 win last week as the favorite in a winners over conditioned pace at Freehold. The four-year-old Western Hanover horse, a trainee of Brett Pelling, will be starting from post four with Ron Pierce at the reins. Earning over $66,000 this year, Keystone Rodeo should be able to manage a repeat performance this week, but faces stronger competition with the slight surge in class.
Starting from the outside post seven as the 7-2 second choice is veteran Sudden Strike A. The seven-year-old Panorama gelding was competing — and easily succeeding — in non-winners of $3,000 conditioned races just two short months ago, and after steadily surviving class increases now proves to be a top contender in the Invitational. In last Saturday’s Invitational handicap, with the guidance of reinsman David Miller, Sudden Strike A drew off the gate from post five and went wire-to-wire in a 1:55.3 win. Trainer Shaun Vallee has again named Miller to drive.
Also going off at 7-2 is Carl Cito, Jr.-trainee Desert Sign. Starting from post six with Jeff Gregory in the sulky, the five-year-old pacer finished a length behind Sudden Strike A in the November 13th Invitational handicap.
Finishing out the field for Saturday’s feature are: Oliver Custis (Cat Manzi), Laag Text (Stephen Smith), The Globe (Jim Morrill, Jr.) and Carlspur (Steve Salerno).
Post time for Saturday’s 14-race card will be 12:30 p.m.