Up Helly AA (Armbro Barrister) prevailed back in February in the first Open Trot contested this season at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Jaymes McAssey trainee raced against the track’s top trotters for a while at that point before dropping in company. Following back-to-back victories recorded in conditional races in May, Up Helly AA moved back into the Open where he finished third on June 16th when drawing the rail. On Monday, the six year old drew the inside post once again but was dismissed at odds of 28-1 with Billy Dobson in the sulky. In a race that saw early speed result in a first quarter of 27.2 and a half in 57.1, Up Helly AA moved to the outside past three-quarters while approaching the race’s co-favorite Duke Lavictoire (Wally Hennessey) who had spent the majority of the mile parked out before clearing at the three-quarter pole. Up Helly AA cruised past Duke Lavictoire in the stretch en route to a score in 1:57.4 to record his second Open win of the year. Ramborain (Dan Daley) got away last but progressed well in the final half before coming on to finish second while Duke Lavictoire held on for third. Up Helly AA paid $58.50 to win in the upset and led an exacta and triple that returned $307.50 and $2546, respectively. Up Helly AA is owned by Ian Fromowitz of Ontario, Canada. The Monday sulky star was Jacob Cutting who piloted a career-high six winners on the card.
Live racing continues on Tuesday with a matinee that begins at 12pm.
