Hudson Phil (Shanghai Phil) was one of the top pacers at Saratoga Casino Hotel over the past couple of seasons. The Jackie Greene trainee was one of the top two winningest horses in the Open Pace in the 2019 and 2020 campaigns. This year, in his six year old season, Hudson Phil has split his time between Saratoga and tracks out of town. On Tuesday, Hudson Phil drew the outside post in the $10,500 feature for pacers one week after he scored an impressive victory in 1:52. Leading driver Billy Dobson sat behind Hudson Phil and took him back early on Tuesday. Getting away last as the race’s 2-1 co-favorite, Hudson Phil reaped the benefits of first half fractions of 26.4 and 56 seconds, the Greene trainee made his move heading to the three-quarter pole as Dobson fanned him to the far outside. The longtime Open star completed his back to back jacks behind a three-wide move which saw him score in 1:53. The victory was his second straight and third on the season. American Zest A (Larry Stalbaum) was the runner-up to Hudson Phil for the second consecutive week while No Ordinary Man (Phil Fluet) closed to finish third. The win for Hudson Phil, who is owned by the Kellogg Racing Stables of Queensbury, NY, was the 30th of his career in just 101 lifetime starts.
Live racing continues on Wednesday afternoon at Saratoga with three year old pacing fillies taking center stage as part of the New York Sire Stakes. First post is set for Noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
