Freehold, NJ – A field of eight trotters went to post in the first AHDC amateur trot event in many years over the Freehold half-mile oval in the fourth race on the card Saturday (Feb. 8) night.

As the gate sprung open, a speed duel ensued as Coco Hall, with Scott Woogen in the bike, and post-time favorite, Masster Blue, with Anthony Verruso in the sulky, vied for the top spot for the entire mile.  Woogen would not let Verruso to the lead and they carved out sensible fractions (:29.1, :59.2, 1:30) for the two-horse battle.

All the while, veteran driver Paul Minore and horse Wygant Prince sat the pocket position and, as the field turned into the stretch, he was able to steer his old, classy trotter inside the passing lane to score a victory by a length over the tough trip Masster Blue.  Getting up for third from way back was Shady McCoy, with Mark Schullstrom doing the steering.  The mile was timed in 2:01.

The old timer paid a generous $10.20 at the windows for all of his $2 win bet backers.  The 13- year old gelded son of S J’s Photo is owned by Minore and trained by Taylor Gower.

The next race in the AHDC amateur event will take place next Saturday (Feb. 15) at Freehold with the first post scheduled for 12:30 p.m.