Joey Freshwater ends layoff, returns in style

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Joey Freshwater, winner of last year’s Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes, made a smart-looking return to the races on Saturday, winning a second-level allowance by 1 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct.

It was Joey Freshwater’s first win since the Bay Shore and his first start since he finished last in a sprint stakes at Parx Racing on Aug. 22, the 10th start of his 3-year-old campaign.

“After we ran him at Parx I called up [owner] Steve Sigler and said ‘I’m not bringing him home, I’m dropping him off at the clinic,’ ” trainer Linda Rice said. “He’s getting a vacation."

Joey Freshwater spent several months at Dr. Patty Hogan’s farm in New Jersey before returning to Rice’s care in late fall.

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“We examined him. . . . There was nothing to do but give him some time and some rest,” Rice said. “Obviously, he came back well from it.”

Over a deep surface, Joey Freshwater ran seven furlongs in 1:27.16 and earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

Though Rice didn’t mention a next target for Joey Freshwater, the Grade 3, $175,000 Toboggan Stakes on Feb. 3 would appear to make sense.

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