Manzi bags 20th career driving title at Freehold

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

They haven’t caught Cat Manzi yet. The ageless 57-year-old Harness Racing Hall of Fame driver keeps holding the younger generation off.

Manzi won his 20th career driving title at Freehold Raceway during the 2007-08 meet that concluded June 14. He won two races on the closing day of the meet to bring his total to 293, well ahead of runner up Pat Perry, who had 236 wins. Manzi had 1,151 starts and Perry, 1,506.

Manzi, who calls Freehold home, lifted his lifetime career wins total to 12,981. That’s second all-time behind only Herve Filion (with more than 15,000). The Hall of Famer enjoyed his best season in 2006 when he led North America in wins (727) and was the Harness Tracks of America’s Driver of the Year.

Carmine Fusco and Chris Marino tied for leading trainer honors at the meet with both harnessing 49 winners. Fusco had the lead heading into Saturday, but Marino won two days, the first and last races on the card, to catch him.

Freehold, which is the nation’s oldest and fastest half-mile harness track, held Fan Appreciation Day Saturday. The racetrack gave away $1,000 worth of gas station gift cards. Food was offered at reduced prices.

“We wanted to show appreciation to our loyal patriots, who, despite rising gas prices, continued to support us throughout the meet,” said general manager Donald Cody.

Freehold will remain open for day and night simulcasting. Live racing will return to the track Aug. 7.

The highlight of the summer/fall meet will be the $300,000 estimate Cane Pace, the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown set for Sept. 1. The $99,000 estimate Cane Pace Eliminations will be Aug. 23.

On the same day as the Cane, the $145,000 Shady Daisy Pace and $130,000 Battle of Monmouth Pace will be held.

Other Stakes highlights include the $270,00 James B. Dancer Memorial (Oct. 11), $100,000 Charles Smith Trot final (Oct. 24); $85,000 Lou Babic Memorial Final (Oct. 18), $85,000 Helen Smith Trot final and $80,000 Harold Dancer Filly Division final (Sept. 16).

Freehold will also host $85,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes finals on Sept. 18 (3- year-old filly trotters), Sept. 20 (2-year-old colt pacers), Sept. 23 (2-year-old filly trotters), Oct. 11 (3-year-old filly pacers) and Oct. 25 (3-year-old colt pacers).