Belmont Royale N won the local Open Pace for the second time this season when on Monday, the Melissa Beckwith trainee parlayed a pocket ride to victory. Aaron Byron drove Belmont Royale N was got the two-hole trip in a race that saw a first half go in 55.4. Byron pulled the pocket with Belmont Royale N as the nine-year-old took on the leader in the $18,000 Open as fellow co-favorite Prairie Rocknroll (Billy Dobson) made progress from the back of the pack. The co-9-5 shots swallowed up the leader turning for home before squaring off in the stretch in a battle that resulted in a 1:52.2 victory for Belmont Royale N who checked in as a winner by ¾ of a length. Prairie Rocknroll wound up second-best while Ahi Sunshine (Jimmy Devaux) came from last to finish third in the feature. Belmont Royale N is owned in partnership by his trainer Melissa Beckwith and Bill O’Donnell.
Live racing continues on Tuesday at Saratoga with a first post time set for 12pm. There is a $14,237 carryover in the late Pick 5.
Best Bets: Graceful Gala, 8th Sweet Beach Inn, 10th
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
