by Don Bielak , Freehold Raceway Publicity Director

FREEHOLD, NJ – – Shaun Vallee and Richard Hernandez’s Sudden Strike A, guided by Cat Manzi, rallied and won the featured $18,000 Invitational handicap for pacers at Freehold Raceway on Saturday.

Sudden Strike A, a seven-year-old gelded son of Panorama, came through on the inside passing lane and closed strongly to prevail by a neck in a final time of 1:54.2. A late-arriving Daylon Trooper (Yannick Gingras) finished second. Cam’s Fast Gun (George Brennan) closed willingly to nail down the show spot, finishing three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

The victory was the ninth of the season in 37 outings for Sudden Strike A. The Vallee trainee paid $6.20 as the second choice in the wagering.