Driver Jay Randall had a renaissance year of sorts last year at Saratoga Casino Hotel and the veteran reinsman has picked up right where he left off this season. On Wednesday’s card, the 58 year old Randall piloted back-to-back winners and four on the night. Jay drove winners in two of the three $9,000 co-features for New York sired trotters and both for trainer Bob Gale. Randall moved first over with the Gale-trained Frank Hanover (Credit Winner) approaching the half on his race’s favorite Aerial Flight (Jimmy Devaux). Those two slugged it out for nearly a half mile before Frank Hanover emerged victorious in 2:00. The three year old trotter had finished second in three consecutive starts at Saratoga before recording his fourth victory of the season on Wednesday night. The win was the second straight on the card for Randall who guided John Podres’ Hot Tip (Mystery Chase) to victory in a conditional pace. Jay’s third winner of the night came when he piloted the Brett Derue-trained It Aint The Whisky (Explosive Matter) to a front-running score. It wasn’t until the Wednesday finale when Randall completed his grand slam guiding Gale’s RC’s Lady Royale (RC Royalty) to an upset in the $9,000 nightcap. RC’s Lady Royale parlayed her pocket ride to victory and sprung the upset at odds of 25-1.
Live racing resumes on Friday night at Saratoga with a 7:05pm first post.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
