Some Waratah A (Somebeachsomewhere) put up the fastest mile of the young racing season at Saratoga Casino Hotel when on Tuesday, he went coast-to-coast to prevail in his local debut. Greg Merton piloted the Amanda Kelley trainee and moved the 4-5 betting favorite to the top in the $12,000 featured Open Pace. Some Waratah A came from Australia this winter and debuted for the Scheigert Racing Stable, of Saratoga Springs, at Yonkers in February. He rattled off back-to-back jacks downstate including a win in the Open Pace. In Tuesday’s feature, the seven year old set fast fractions throughout but looked every bit the part before stopping the timer in 1:53, the fastest time of the young meet at the Spa. Some Waratah A was briefly met with the challenge of last week’s Open winner Walkinshaw N (Jimmy Devaux) before turning that one away in mid-stretch. Pocket sitter Crockets Cullen N (Larry Stalbaum) wound up finishing second while Walkinshaw N held third. Some Waratah N, who paid $3.90 to win in his local debut, was one of two winners on the card for Merton, Kelley and the Scheigert Racing Stable who teamed up for a victory in a $6,150 pacing event with Nagle (Dali).
Live racing resumes on Wednesday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that kicks off at Noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
