Under The Stars (Yankee Glide) came from the clouds to win the 2016 Holiday Trot Final at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Thursday evening. Frank Mc Mahon trains the nine year old veteran campaigner whose second place finish in leg one of the series propelled him to Thursday’s final. Phil Fluet piloted Under The Stars who got a second over trip behind the race’s favorite Golden Stroke (Stephane Bouchard), the only trotter to score victories in each of the legs of the series heading into the $15,450 final. When Golden Stroke was tiring, Fluet guided Under The Stars to the far outside as front-running Tagmaster (Tony Ciuffetelli) was started to falter on the lead. Under The Stars got up to win in 2:00.1 on a cold December evening in Saratoga and did so at odds of 8-1. My Friend Charlie (Mark Beckwith), dismissed at odds of 10-1 came charging hard for second while Tagmaster held on to earn the show spot. Under The Stars returned $19.60 to win and started an exacta that paid $147 and a triple that came back $570.
There are three race cards remaining in the 2016 campaign at Saratoga with racing on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 6:45pm and on Sunday with a matinee that kicks off at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Michael Panzarino
