Crockets Cullen N (Christian Cullen) is a new addition to the Larry Stalbaum stable as the New Zealand import made his USA debut just a couple of weeks ago. Last Saturday night (Oct 6), Crockets Cullen N came to Saratoga Casino Hotel for the first time and made an immediate impact, winning in 1:52.1. This weekend, it was up into the Open Pace for Stalbaum’s new acquisition and Crockets Cullen N again proved up to the task. First-over on veteran leader JK Panache (Jimmy Devaux), Crockets Cullen N surged by heading to three quarters and paced a third panel in 27 seconds before clearing the lead. The favored Mar Nien A (Jay Randall) followed the cover of Crockets Cullen N but had to settle for second as the Stalbaum trainee scored in 1:51.4, a new lifetime best. Crockets Cullen N paid $13.20 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $35.20 and $241.50, respectively. The Australian invader Mar Nien A had been three-for-three since moving to the stable of trainer Amanda Kelley but was the runner-up in Saturday’s $18,000 Open Pace. JK Panache earned the show spot. Stalbaum piloted three winners on the card.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee beginning at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
