Nesh Cruiser (Yankee Cruiser) parlayed the pocket ride to victory in the Saturday feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Leading driver Frank Coppola Jr. piloted the four year old pacer in the evening’s $9,500 top level condition race on a Saturday evening in which the regularly featured Open Pace was not contested. Nesh Cruiser sat the pocket to the favored Sassy Hanover (Billy Dobson) who faltered late after enjoying an easy lead throughout. Nesh Cruiser pounced in the stretch and stopped the timer in 1:53.1, matching the lifetime mark that he set earlier this year. Espen De Vie (Jim Devaux) shook loose for second while Sassy Hanover had to settle for third. Coppola, who has surged into a big lead in the driver standings in the last month, piloted the winner for a red hot Kyle Spagnola stable. Nesh Cruiser upset at odds of 11-1 and led an exacta and triple that paid $267.50 and $$350.50, respectively.
Live racing continues at Saratoga on Sunday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
