Freedom Matters back in allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Freedom Matters, run down late to drop a head decision to Galleon Mast in the Sunshine Millions Turf Preview last month at Gulfstream Park West, will return to allowance company and take on six rivals in Thursday’s $48,000 main event, scheduled to be run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Freedom Matters, who rejoined trainer Allen Iwinski’s barn here earlier this fall after spending the summer with trainer Guadalupe Guerrero up north, led throughout before succumbing grudgingly to Galleon Mast in the closing stages of the Sunshine Millions Turf Preview. A model of consistency all season, Freedom Matters has finished third or better in 8 of 10 starts in 2019 with a pair of victories to his credit, including a Florida-bred allowance race here for Iwinski on March 21.

Scholar Athlete, who scratched out of a slightly softer optional-claiming spot several days earlier, is among the major contenders, along with the multiple stakes-placed Timmy M and recent allowance winner Morocco.