Trainer Jaymes McAssey looks like he’ll finish fifth in the trainer standings in what has been a strong season at Saratoga Casino Hotel for the young conditioner. On Tuesday, McAssey scored a training double including a victory in the matinee’s feature. Rock A Honey (All Bets Off) moved to the McAssey stable last month and put in three strong efforts upon coming to the Spa. The three year old finished second in his first two starts out of McAssey’s barn before toughing out a third-place finish despite being parked the mile in last. In Tuesday’s $9,500 feature for colt and gelding pacers, Rock A Honey was tasked with overcoming a first-over journey as the 9-5 second choice in the wagering with Billy Dobson in the bike. The sophomore was up to the task and wore down the leader before emerging victorious in a 1:56.3 mile. Longshot B Cool Fool (Matt Athearn) followed Rock A Honey’s cover to finish as the runner-up while the favored Aces Or Bettor (Chris Long) shook loose late to earn the show spot. Rock A Honey, who is owned in partnership by David Del Pozzo and Paul Paoletti, completed the McAssey stable double after the conditioner saw his Caviart Cherie (Jimmy Devaux) score in the afternoon’s opener.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a 5pm first post time.

Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel

Jessica Hallett photo

Trainer Gary Levine had a busy day on Tuesday at Saratoga Casino Hotel as the conditioner who currently sits third in the 2023 trainer standings had seven horses in to go on the matinee card. Levine scored a training double on Tuesday when his Queen Indeed (E L Titan) moved her record to two-for-two locally going coast-to-coast in an $8,000 race for trotters. Queen Indeed stepped up in company for her Tuesday try but had little difficultly in repeating in a mile clocked in 2:01.2. The 6-5 favorite in her race, Queen Indeed completed a double for Levine and driver Billy Dobson who teamed up for a victory earlier in the day when Jett Rink (Cantab Hall) scored for the first time since joining the Levine stable earlier in the month. Jett Rink trotted to a 2:01 win in his $8,000 division for young trotters. Levine, the 2020 leading trainer at the Spa, is finishing his season strong and has his sights set on the second-place spot in the training standings with three weeks remaining in the ’23 season. Brett Derue is poised to win his first training title after enjoying a career year.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a 5pm first post.

Trainer Kelly Lancaster-Dailey has enjoyed a breakout season of sorts at Saratoga Casino Hotel in 2023 and on Tuesday, the New Jersey-based conditioner scored a double. Lancaster-Dailey does a lot of her racing at Freehold but has recorded almost 100 starts at the Spa this season. On Tuesday, her Always A Way (Always A Virgin) got the stable off to a strong start when he parlayed his pocket trip to victory in an $8,000 race for pacers who were non-winners of two races lifetime. Always A Way powered out of the two-hole to breeze by his race’s favorite en route to a 1:55.4 score. Lancaster-Dailey completed a training double when her Wanda’s Wonder (Dover Dan) scored first-over in her second local start. Wanda’s Wonder made a break in her local debut but avenged that defeat with her Tuesday score when she stopped the timer in 2:00.2. Both Lancaster-Dailey trainees were driven to their wins by Mitch Cushing.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a 5pm first post.

Jessica Hallett photo

Mike Sardella recap