Talking Tom came from well off the pace to win his first Open Pace of the season at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday. The Perry Simser trainee has recorded a handful of Open victories in past seasons and added one to his tally when he put the swoop to the group in Sunday’s feature.
With the fractions being set by Jahan Hanover (Wally Hennessey), Talking Tom was patient in lap one, a lap that went in 57.2. Driver Leon Bailey grabbed the cover of rival Primo Uomo (Jimmy Devaux) and together they closed in with every stride before Talking Tom fanned off that one’s cover turning for home. The Simser trainee came on in the final stretch drive to take over command and stop the timer in 1:54.2 to record the mild upset at odds of 5-1. Primo Uomo was the runner up while Jahan Hanover finished third in the $16,000 Sunday feature. Talking Tom, who paid $12.60 to win, is owned by his trainer Perry Simser in partnership with Dennis Nye. The win in the Open Pace was one of three scores on the card for reinsman Leon Bailey.
Live racing was canceled for Monday and Tuesday due to the high heat index and will resume on Sunday 6/29 with a matinee starting at noon.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Casino Hotel
Jessica Hallett photo
