Crockets Cullen N (Christian Cullen) prevailed for the second consecutive week in the Open Pace on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Larry Stalbaum owns and drives the Tracy Tarantino trainee who last week took the first-over journey to the winner’s circle. This week, Crockets Cullen N was dismissed at odds of 6-1 in the six-horse Open when he got second-over cover behind Century Endeavor (Gerry Mattison) approaching the half. After the first lap went in 56.1, the race’s leader succumbed to the pressure of the first-over rival but it was Crockets Cullen N who tipped off that cover and motored home in the stretch to stop the timer in 1:52.3. Hudson Phil (Jay Randall), the winningest Open horse at Saratoga in 2019, came from last and followed the winner home to be the runner-up in the $15,000 feature while Century Endeavor earned the show spot. Crockets Cullen N, who won the local Open twice last season, has now scored in the Saturday feature twice in 2019. In his most recent victory, the eight year old paid $14.20 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $51 and $137, respectively. Crockets Cullen N was one of two winners on the night for Stalbaum and Tarantino who teamed up for a victory with Lord Willoughby A (Mach Three) in the $12,500 Winners Over on Saturday.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee beginning at 12 Noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
