Driver Shawn Gray came in to pilot two horses on Tuesday afternoon at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The veteran reinsman sat behind the Jaymes McAssey-trained Nerve Of Steel (Art Official) and Pasultimatedelite N (Bettor’s Delight). The former went wire-to-wire in a $5,200 claiming race while the latter sprung an upset in the $5,850 featured race for the ladies. Eleven year old Pasultimatedelite N is having a terrific 2020 campaign and won for the tenth time of the season on Tuesday. After going coast-to-coast last week, Pasultimatedelite N came from off the pace on Tuesday as Gray piloted the veteran distaffer perfectly, getting her cover heading to three quarters. With the track’s most consistent mare of the last two years Bontz N (Billy Dobson) on the engine, Pasultimatedelite N came charging hard in the stretch before springing the upset at odds of 8-1. The favorite Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) came on to be second while Bontz N held on to be third. Pasultimatedelite N paid $19.60 to win in the upset.
Nerve Of Steel N moved to claimers at Saratoga for the first time in a long time. The McAssey trainee cruised out to an early lead with Gray at the helm and proved dominant in a mile that went in 1:56.3. Nerve Of Steel N is owned by Pat O’Brien of New Hyde Park, NY who co-owns Pasultimatedelite N with George Hartman of Monroe Township, NJ. McAssey has had a terrific 2020 season and added two more victories to his strong tally on Tuesday with Gray guiding the way.
Live racing has just one week remaining for the season. Monday and Tuesday matinees will begin at Noon next week with Monday’s card highlighted by a Pick Five carryover of $2,787. The Pick Five is a 50 cent minimum wager and begins in the afternoon’s first race.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Cheyanne Mandy
