Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Racing Recap Sept 28 – 30, 2024

Slip the Hundy N bested the field in the Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, Sept. 28th. Rob Harmon trains the seven-year-old gelding. Jay Randall piloted the winner for owner Mike Casalino Jr. of Freehold NJ.  Two divisions of the first leg of the Gary Kamal Memorial Pacing Series were contested Saturday night. Matthew Athearn drove Full Speed Steve to a win in the first division for trainer, Andy Gardner, and owner Percy Elkins. Major Decision won the second division. Shawn Gray drove the winner for trainer Alicia Gray who co-owns the horse with Dyce and Elizabeth Spalluto.

Bluffinner won the Open Trot on Sunday on Sept 29th. Jordan Derue trains and drove the seven-year-old gelding whom he co-owns with the FBP Racing Stable. Sunday also featured four divisions of the first leg of the Jim Derue Memorial Trotting Series. Wally Hennessey drove Lady Eight to victory in the first division. Trained by Andy Gardner, the three-year-old filly is owned by John Orsalo Jr. Doc Nixon won the second division of the series. Aaron Byron drove for trainer Brianne Sinclair who co-owns the four-year-old gelding with Ashleigh Bailey and Amber Longo. Three-year-old gelding, Niccolo, won the third division with Chris Long in the sulky for trainer Paul Zabielski and owner Bill Reepmeyer. Escaper, trained and driven by Jordan Derue, won the fourth division. The three-year-old gelding is owned by Anthony Ciuffetelli.

Monday, Sept. 30th was an incredible day in the Hall of Fame career of driver Wally Hennessey, who won seven races on the card, one win short of tying the record set by Frank Coppola Jr. Coppola Jr. piloted eight winners on a single card in November of 2008.  Hennessey’s outstanding day featured a win in the $15,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace aboard Remy Brown N. Mark Beckwith trains the five-year-old mare for owners Steve Manzi and Pie San LLC. There were two divisions of the first leg of the Bunny Lake Pacing Series for fillies and mares on Monday. Aaron Byron drove Shutupanddrive to a win. Brianne Sinclair trains and co-owns the three-year-old filly with Richard Villeneuve. Mitchell Cushing won with three-year-old Youcancallme Daisy for owner Ronald Siegfried.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening Oct. 5th at Saratoga with a first post set for 5:00 pm. Saturday will feature two divisions of second leg of the Gary Kamal Memorial Pace. Four divisions of the Jim Derue Memorial will be contested on Sunday’s Oct. 6th, and Monday Oct. 7th will feature the second leg of the Bunny Lake Filly & Mare Pacing Series. Post time Sunday and Monday is 12 noon.

Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY

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