City Of Hope sprung a mild upset in the Monday feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Jimmy Devaux pilots the Dave Dewhurst trainee who rode a two-race win streak into his Monday try that saw him draw post four in the $16,000 Open Trot. City Of Hope flashed early speed in his return to Open company and sat the two-hole to co-favored Passarino (Mark Beckwith). Passarino rattled off a pretty comfortable half that went in 57.4 while City Of Hope rode his coattails before popping the pocket around the final turn. The Dewhurst trainee roared home in the stretch to get the better of Passarino en route to a 1:56.2 score which was his third in a row, fourth of the year but his first in the Open this season. Passarino was the runner-up while Up Helly AA (Wally Hennessey) earned the show spot. City Of Hope gave Devaux one of the reinsman’s three victories on the card while paying $13.60 to win in the mild upset in the feature.
Live racing continues on Tuesday with a first post time of 12pm.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
