Hunter Hill (Somebeachsomewhere) sprung the upset in the Saturday feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Scott West owns and trains the nine-year-old who won the Winners Over last week (March 28) and stepped back up into the Open Pace on Saturday. Leon Bailey fired Hunter Hill off the gate and powered up to take the early lead in the $16,500 Open. Setting fractions of 27.3 and 57 seconds in lap one, Hunter Hill fought a first-over Belmont Royale N (Aaron Byron) to three quarters in 1:25.1. That battle was brought into the stretch where Hunter Hill held firm and scored his first ever victory in the local Open, stopping the timer in 1:53.3 to record the upset at odds of 13-1. Belmont Royale N was a strong second while the favorite Blazing Home N (Tony Morgan) earned the show spot as the race’s 4-5 public choice. Hunter Hill’s win was his fourth of the year and the 40th in his career.
Live racing resumes on Monday with a matinee that begins at 12pm.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
