“Our
first half-of-the-year results were mixed,” said Freehold General Manager
Howard Bruno. “Export wagering on our races was up slightly and wagering
at the track on simulcast signals was about even. Average daily live handle
was down, reflecting the addition of January–February race dates and a winter
season that was not as mild as last year. Freehold continues in its
struggle to compete with surrounding states and looks to find the right balance
to maintain a racing program that interests both horsemen and handicappers.
“Guests
should look for some changes on and off the track when we return for live
racing August 29,” Bruno added.
The
live handle for the 61 days of racing was $3,621,446 on-track [$59,368 daily
average] plus $22,408,226 [$367,348 average] “transmission handle” for a total
from all sources of $26,029,672 [$426,716 average], according to stats provided
by Bruno.
Abbatiello
posted 101 wins from 512 starts to capture top driver honors for the third
straight Freehold meet. Hall of Famer Cat Manzi was second with 97 wins
from 437 starts.
Fusco,
who has won titles at Chester and the Meadowlands, harnessed 32 winners from
115 starters to secure his first Freehold training crown. Karen Garland
was second with 22 wins from 89 starters.
“I
was lucky enough to drive quite of few horses for Vinny,” Abbatiello
noted. “I appreciate the drives he gave me.”
The
son of Hall of Fame driver Carmine Abbatiello is not going to rest on his
Freehold laurels.
“I’ve
already picked up a nice amount of work at Chester and have my own stable
racing at Chester and at the Meadowlands,” he explained.
Fusco,
from a family of trainers, was delighted to win the title at his “home” track.
“I
really want to thank my owners for entrusting me with their horses,” he
said.
-Carol
Hodes for SBOANJ
