Final Freedom won an allowance event July 9 at Presque Isle Downs, but is still eligible for the feature there on Tuesday evening, limited to horses who have “never won a race other than maiden claiming, starter, statebred, or restricted, or never won two.”
Although Final Freedom’s 5 1/2-length win July 9 was in an allowance event, it was for Pennsylvania-breds, so it falls under one of the exclusions in the race restrictions. Trained by Tom Amoss, the 3-year-old Final Freedom has won 2 of 4 lifetime starts, with both wins coming locally against Pennsylvania-bred company.
In his first local outing May 19, Final Freedom won by 13 impressive lengths going five furlongs. He then finished third in an entry-level allowance event June 19, going 5 1/2 furlongs, the same distance as Tuesday evening. His most recent outing was the July 9 victory.
The only knock against Final Freedom is he led every step of the way in both victories, and getting the lead Tuesday evening may not prove easy with plenty of early speed to his outside. Scott Spieth retains the mount.
Tiger Jacques is one of only two horses in the race to fit into the “never won two” restriction in the race. Another 3-year-old in the event, Tiger Jacques won his last out July 28 locally in come-from-behind fashion. With an abundance of early speed in Tuesday evening’s event, that running style may fit him well. Carlos Montalvo will ride for trainer Jonathan Sheppard. The race will go as the seventh on an eight-race card.
In the sixth race on the card, the same allowance conditions exist, but the distance will be a mile over the Presque Isle Tapeta surface for eight older horses.
Runnin Da Fences will attempt to stretch out for trainer Jamie Ness. The 5-year-old will try two turns for the first time in his career. In his most recent out Aug. 3 at Presque Isle, Runnin Da Fences came from well off the pace in a 6 1/2-furlong event to close willingly in the stretch, finishing third, beaten two lengths. That effort looked as through the extra 1 1/2 furlongs will be no problem for Runnin Da Fences. Pedro Morales retains the mount.
Others in the field include Look Out Man, Forest Bell, Spartan King, Meadow Magic, Buffalo Runner, Vow to Fly, and Trippedoutofadream.
