by Don Bielak, publicity director, Freehold Raceway

Freehold, NJ — Mr Incredible and Royal Gala won the co-featured $14,200 Open handicaps at Freehold Raceway on Friday.

In the Open handicap for trotters, Mr Incredible closed from fifth as the field turned for home and caught the 4-5 favorite, Jake’s Nordic (Cat Manzi), by a head at the wire for a 1:57³ victory with Jim Marshall, III in the sulky. Derbys Goal (Stephen Smith) closed well to nail down the show spot, three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Mr Incredible, a six-year-old Mr Lavec gelding, notched his third win in seven starts this season in capturing the Open Trot for his owners, Paul Wojtowicz, Frank Federici and Marvin Collin. Sent postward as the 4-1 second choice in the wagering, the Wojtowicz-trainee returned $10.20 to win.

The Open handicap for filly and mare pacers went to FS Starzzzz Stables’ Royal Gala. The nine-year-old Nuclear Flash mare took the lead just past the opening quarter mile mark and stayed in front thereafter to record a one and three-quarter length, 1:56 tally with Cat Manzi at the reins. Ascending (Yannick Gingras) came again in the stretch and nosed out Elgigi A (Shaun Vallee) for second.

Royal Gala, a David Sabatelli-trained mare, won for the first time in eight starts this year. Closing as the 3-1 third choice of the crowd, Royal Gala returned a win mutuel of $8.20.