Favorite romps in Dennis Watson Memorial

It wasn’t the case if he would win the race after the start, just by how many lengths. That was the story in Saturday’s (April 6) $12,000 Dennis Watson Memorial Preferred-Handicap Pace at Freehold Raceway for race favorite Lyons Steel (Rock N Roll Heaven).

The 8^th race feature was honoring the late Dennis Watson, a longtime driver/trainer at Freehold who passed away on March 4, at the age of 74.

The race got underway and saw driver Mark Herschberger leave with Lyons Steel from post five and take command. Six Feet Apart (Vincent Ginsburg) secured the two-hole with Marcus Seelster (Austin Siegelman) parked out first over. The opening quarter was a fast :26.4.

Ginsburg ended up taking Marcus Seelster back to third place as Lyons Steel held the field at bay by two and one-half lengths at the half mile in :55.2. In the backstretch, Ginsburg came back first-over with Marcus Seelster, but could not gain better than third place as Lyons Steel was now up by three lengths past the three-quarters in 1:24.2.

By the top of the stretch, Herschberger and Lyons Steel were up by six lengths on the field and needed only a :30 last quarter mile to score in a romp by seven open lengths in 1:54.2.

LYONS STEEL REPLAY

It was the third win this year for Lyons Steel. The nine-year-old gelding is trained by Jose Ramos for BD Racing, LLC and paid $5.20 to win.

Austin Siegelman continues to dominate at Freehold Raceway. Today, he earned a driving triple for the fourth consecutive race-card at Freehold.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink