No one needed to know Morse Code to figure out the harness racing winner of the $12,000 Preferred-Handicap Trot at Freehold Raceway Friday (Jan. 27) afternoon as Dot Dot Dot Dash (Classic Photo) led from start to finish and paid a price.
Leaving from post four in the 9th race feature, Dot Dot Dot Dash and driver Vinnie Ginsburg, an 8-1 mild longshot, got to the early lead with Campbellini (Jack Pelling) getting the two-hole trip as they passed the opening quarter mile in :28.4.
Coming to the half mile, Allindotime (Austin Siegelman) started up first-over slowly from fifth place with the race favorite Newsboy (Jim Marohn, Jr.) following second over. Dot Dot Dot Dash took the field to the half in 1:00.
Down the backstretch, Allindotime caught up with Dot Dot Dot Dash as they raced by the three-quarters in 1:29.2.
Allindotime and Dot Dot Dot Dash continued their duel to not only the top of the stretch, but down the stretch as well with Newsboy joining the fray as the three horses batted neck and neck to the wire with Dot Dot Dot Dash holding on to win by a head in 1:58.4 over Allindotime with Newsboy just a neck off the winner in third place.
DOT DOT DOT DASH REPLAY
It was the first win in three starts this year for Dot Dot Dot Dash. The 13-year-old mare is trained by Leah Vandervort for owner and breeder William Vandervort, Jr. She paid $19.00 to win.
For complete race results, click here.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink