SBOANJ - FREEHOLD MEET ENDS WITH DRIVERS’ TITLE TO ABBATIELLO & TRAINERS’ CROWN TO DUNNING

MANALAPAN, NJ – May 26, 2012 -- Eric Abbatiello claimed his first Freehold Raceway driving title, adding three wins on closing day, Saturday, May 26, 2012, to lift his total to 73.

Jody Dunning topped the trainers’ race with 16 wins, 18 seconds and 10 thirds from 69 starters, two more trips to the winner’s circle than Michael Posner.

The driving title was not in doubt for Abbatiello, 43, who was well ahead of runner up Stephen Smith with 48 wins. 

Leading driver Eric Abbatiello on the left and leading trainer Jody Dunning on the right receive their 2012 winter/spring meet awards from Freehold Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone. (Photo by Helene Gregory of World Wide Racing Photos)

For his career, Abbatiello, son of Hall of Famer and 7,000-race winner Carmine Abbatiello, has 1,173 victories and $8.2 million in purse earnings.  It was not until 1998 that Eric, a graduate of Catholic University, considered a switch from his career as a financial planner to horseman.  Initially, he concentrated on training but has become more active as a driver the last several years. 

The 39-date winter/spring meet at Freehold produced increases in both average live handle and average transmission handle [wagering on the Freehold signal at other locations], according to statistics provided by Freehold Raceway. 

The total live handle of $2,734,463 represents an average of 70,114, an increase of 15 percent over the $60,889 average for the 69-date winter/spring meet in 2011.

Total transmissions reached $14,155,568, an average of $362,963, nine percent up from the 2011 average of $333,530.

By Carol Hodes for SBOANJ