Hunting Zone (Huntsville) invaded Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday afternoon and the Jeff Cullipher-trained outsider overcame his outside post to record a victory in the $18,500 Open Pace. Brett Beckwith piloted Hunting Zone to a score at Plainridge Park last week and stuck with him for the five year old pacer’s try in the local Open. Hunting Zone left, found good placement in the early going and was kept close to the pace as rival Prairie Rocknroll (Billy Dobson) carved out first-half fractions of 27.3 and 56.3 while stalking the pacesetter from the pocket. Longshot Ahi Sunshine (Jimmy Devaux) swung out of third to test Prairie Rocknroll and those two sparred around the final turn. Once the passing lane opened up, Hunting Zone surged before getting up to win in 1:52.3 on a beautiful fall afternoon in Saratoga Springs. Ahi Sunshine, at odds of 18-1, was the runner-up while Prairie Rocknroll held on for third. Hunting Zone went off at odds of 7-2 in what was his eighth victory of the 2025 campaign. Beckwith piloted the winner for owner Pollack Racing LLC.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
