by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — With his fifth drive of the day, Cat Manzi reached the winner’s circle at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Nov. 29).

Helene Gregory/World Wide Racing Photos

Cat Manzi was a winner behind Scoots West on Friday at Freehold.

It marked the return of the Hall of Fame driver who was sidelined since Sept. 6 when he suffered multiple pelvic fractures in a racing accident at Freehold.

For Manzi, the victory was the 14,790th of his career. He is the third winningest driver in North American harness racing history.

The 63-year-old Freehold resident was a 3-3/4 length winner with Scoots West in the tenth race. He also finished second twice among his seven drives on the program.

Manzi donated his Friday earnings to benefit another injured driver, Anthony Coletta, who was in a racing accident on Nov. 17 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.