Carolina Beach (Somebeachsomewhere) became the first six-time winner of the Open Pace this season at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday night as the Melissa Beckwith trainee came from off the pace to record the win. Carolina Beach was a beaten favorite in last Saturday’s installment of the $14,500 Open but was still bet down to odds of 4-5 this week. Wally Hennessey sat off the early speed with Carolina Beach who moved second over after the first half went in a fast 55.2. Drafting behind the defending Horse of the Year Artful Way (Frank Coppola Jr) who was brushing up first-over, Carolina Beach tipped off the cover around the final turn before storming past his rivals to prevail in 1:51.2. Artful Way was an improved second on Saturday while Somewhere Fancy (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot. Carolina Beach’s win was his twelfth of the year and his sixth in the local Open as the four year old gelding continues to bolster the resume in what has been his career season.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a 12:15pm start to the matinee.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Mikayla Gray