Freehold, NJ — Pro Beach bounced back from a fourth-place finish in the Preferred Handicap Pace at Freehold Raceway last week with a 1 1/4-length harness racing win this Saturday (January 8).

Pro Beach, Dark Pool shine at Freehold 1 — **Pro Beach and driver Austin Siegelman (World Wide Racing Photo)**

Sent off as the 9/5 second choice in the eight-horse field, Austin Siegelman backed him off the early pace and dropped him into fourth place. Just before the half-mile point, Pro Beach moved first-over for the lead and took his shot at early leader Paduka A.

As they neared the far turn, Paduka A led the way, with Pro Beach pressing him on the outside.

Rather than stay in the two-path, Siegelman decided to drop him back towards the pylons and save as much ground as he could. Turning for home, Pro Beach came back to the outside, and wore down Paduka A for the win. The final time was 1:55.1 over a “good” track.

PRO BEACH REPLAY

Pro Beach is owned by George Beck and trained by Symon Spicer. He’s won 14 times from 109 starts, with earnings of just over $250,000.

JAKE STILLWELL TAKES AHDC TROT

Pro Beach, Dark Pool shine at Freehold 2 — **Dark Pool and driver Jack Stillwell (World Wide Racing Photo)**

Jake Stillwell sat a two-hole trip to the top of the lane and then rallied Dark Pool to a length victory in 1:58.2 over pace-setter Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) to win the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club trot today at Freehold Raceway.

After leaving from the 5-hole Stillwell settled down along the pylons in in second position with Dark Pool as Calabrese led the field by the first stanza in 29 seconds. With the rest of the field unhurried nobody made a move and Calabrese got his trotter by the halfway point in :58.2.

Still clear on the engine Shoemaker Hanover showed he way by the three quarters in 1:28.1 but when they rounded the final turn and headed for paydirt his strides began to shorten and Stillwell had Dark Pool in high gear, and they rallied to a 3/4-length victory in 1:58.1. Take A Wish (Dawn Anderson) finished 3-1/2 lenghts behind the winner.

It was the 31st lifetime win for the 9-year-old Cantab Hall gelding who raised his career earnings to $299,608. He strained by Paul Fusco for owner Barry Franklin.

DARK POOL REPLAY

Live racing resumes at Freehold on Thursday (January 13), starting at about 12:30 PM.

For full race results, click here.

by Freehold Raceway & John Manzi for the AHDC

Pro Beach, Dark Pool shine at Freehold

Driver shooting for 500 winners

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