Duke Lavictoire (Royalty For Life) pulled off the upset in Monday’s Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel. After prevailing off a class drop last week, the Brett Derue-trained trotter moved back into the $18,500 feature and drew post two. Jay Randall picked up the catch-drive behind Duke Lavictoire who showed early speed to wind up in the pocket behind Up Helly AA (Chris Long). That one set first-half fractions of 27.4 and 57.3 while bracing for Duke Lavictoire who wound up popping the pocket in the stretch and coming on to win in 1:56.2. Last week’s Open winner Dealin With Dewey (Aaron Byron) closed up the rail to be second while Morning Edition (Shawn Gray) earned the show spot. Duke Lavictoire was dismissed at odds of 15-1 in what was his second Open Trot win of the year and his first since June. It was start number one hundred in the career of Duke Lavictoire whose Monday win was his 30th lifetime. The Open score was one of two on the card for owners Steve Picarazzi and Brett Derue (who co-own Duke Lavictoire with Donnie Bullard), for Derue as trainer and Jay Randall as driver as that crew teamed up for a victory with Cantab My Party in the afternoon’s opener.
Live racing continues on Tuesday with a matinee that begins at 12pm.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
