Rock Solid Express (Huntsville) won the Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel for the first time when on Sunday afternoon, the Kyle Spagnola trainee outclosed his competition to score in 1:53.4. Just two weeks removed from a wire-to-wire victory in 1:52.1 while racing in the condition ranks, Rock Solid Express moved into the $16,000 Open on Sunday and was bet down to be the race’s 4-5 favorite. Billy Dobson piloted the Spagnola-trained pacer who got away fifth in the early going and sat more than seven lengths off the leader at the opening quarter. The five year old pacer moved to the outside approaching the half-mile pole and gained ground with every stride before closing to be third at the top of the stretch to begin what wound up being a terrific stretch drive which wound up with five of the race’s seven participants finish within a length and a half of each other at the wire. When the dust settled, it was Rock Solid Express who emerged victorious in 1:53.4. Little Willy (Brett Beckwith) toughed out a first-over trip to be the runner-up in the feature while Primo Uomo (Jimmy Devaux) finished third. Rock Solid Express, who is owned by James DeArmond and David Towne, won for the third time in the 2025 season.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
