Freehold, NJ — In one of the most dominant harness racing pacing performances at Freehold Raceway in a long time, Lettuceriprita obliterated the field in the Preferred Handicap pace on Saturday (October 10). He won by 6 3/4 lengths in 1:51.1, missing the track record for aged pacing geldings by 1/5 of a second.
He was 15/1 in the field of eight, and left from post position one. Driver Dan Dube had him in third early on, sitting off a very hot pace set by Lyons Steel. Just after the half, which was paced in 55 seconds, Dube activated Lettuceriprita first-over, and moved up to the throatlach of Lyons Steel nearing three-quarters.
As they paced by that mark, in 1:23.3, Lyons Steel had no response, and Lettuceriprita powered away from the field. He went the final quarter in a very impressive 27.3 seconds.
The track record for aged pacing geldings is held by Francam, who paced a mile in 1:51 on September 16, 2006. Lettuceriprita also came close to the all-time record mile of 1:50.3, set by One More Laugh in the 2010 Cane Pace.
For Lettuceriprita, it was his second win of the year, from six starts. The race also shattered his previous lifetime best mark of 1:52.1, set at Harrah's Philadelphia in 2016 and equaled Yonkers Raceway in 2017. Bill MacKenzie trains the winner, and co-owns in partnership with Vincent Ali. Daniel Dube is the winning driver.
Dube and MacKenzie also teamed up to win the eleventh race, with Clint Westwood. Dube was the only driver on the 12-race card to win multiple races.
Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff wins the A.H.D.C. Trot
Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff knows that when a driver have the best horse in the race there's only one place to be and that place is on the lead. So that's just where he put Pound Sterling in the $9000 leg of the American Harness Drivers Club series at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon, October 10.
After being roughed-up though a :28.4 first quarter Hechkoff's charge made the top from the five-hole and once there it was catch me if you can– and nobody could as the veteran trotter chugged to a 2:00.1 victory
When the starter said “go” Paul “the Coach” Minore grabbed the racetrack with his old veteran, Wygant Prince, and then allowed a parked -out Pound Sterling to take command .
Hechkoff lead the competition by the first stanza but he had to contend with Permanent Joy, and driver Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivlen, who moved first-up as the field headed to the half. Krivelin”s trotter was at first troubling to the leader but Hechkoff's charge was up to the task and rebuffed the challenge
When the field straightened for home Pound Sterling was in command and 7-year-old Muscle Hill gelding held the lead all the way to the wire. After a two-hole journey Wygant Prince was second best while Fiji and driver Dave “the Rave” Offenberg garnered the show dough.
The winner is co-owned by Kyle Spagnola and his driver and is trained by Spagnola. He paid $4.80 for win.
John Manzi