Freestyler wins stretch battle to take Monmouth Park feature

OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) Freestyler overtook Marriage Fever in the closing strides to win by a nose in the $41,000 allowance feature at Monmouth Park.

Trained by Bruce Alexander and ridden by Daniel Centeno, the 5-year-old gelding ran a mile in 1:38 1/5 and returned $9.20, $5.20 and $3.40. Marriage Fever paid $6.60 and $3.80, while Bama Bound was five lengths back in third and returned $3.80.

Freestyler had overtaken Bama Bound for the lead at the top of the stretch, but late-charging Marriage Fever grabbed the lead with about 100 yards left to run. But Freestyler fought back and edged out Marriage Fever at the wire.