Olde Broadside came into Monday afternoon’s co-feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel on top of his game. After recording a win three weeks back, the Linda Flynn trainee stepped up in company and has been competing in the class that served as the feature for pacers on Monday’s matinee at the Spa. Following consecutive third-place finishes while a longshot, Olde Broadside was dismissed at odds of 12-1 when faced with taking on his race’s big favorite, former Horse of the Year Panocchio. The 3-5 shot Panocchio (Brian Cross) had the front end and set honest fractions on the lead before being confronted by Olde Broadside at the three quarter pole. The final quarters are the strong suit for the six year old Flynn trainee but Panocchio had backclass on his side as the two squared off in the stretch in the $6,350 pacing event. Olde Broadside proved to be too much for the classy veteran and came on to score in a seasonal best 1:53.1 to spring the upset paying $26.60 to win in a mile highlighted by his 27.3 final panel. Panocchio finished second to complete a $72.50 exacta while No Ordinary Man (Phil Fluet) earned the show spot to round out a $265.50 triple. Alek Chartrand piloted Olde Broadside to his upset score.
The trotting version of the co-features went the way of Gruden (Muscles Yankee). A winner of the Open Trot two weeks ago, Gruden joined the claiming ranks in his last start and scored on the engine on Monday in 1:57 with leading driver Billy Dobson in the sulky for trainer Monica Krist. Gruden, who missed all of 2019, has now recorded three wins and a second-place finish in his last four starts. Gruden earned the winner’s share of the $6,350 purse on Monday and now has 21 wins in 49 lifetime races.
Live racing continues on Tuesday at Saratoga with a first post set for Noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
