Last season, Twisted Pretzel was named Trotter of the Year at Saratoga Casino Hotel after winning thirteen times at the Spa with six of his victories coming in the Open Trot. Although 2018 hasn’t been as strong as ’17 was thus far for Twisted Pretzel, the veteran trotter did come into Sunday’s feature as a three-time winner this season with one victory in the $14,500 Open. On Sunday, Twisted Pretzel (Crazed) drew the rail and went off at odds of 7-2 with Mark Beckwith in the sulky. The eight year old Spa regular took advantage of the inside post in the feature and cruised out to the early lead. After setting fractions in the first lap of 27.3 and 57.1, Twisted Pretzel didn’t face his first test until three quarters when longshot Mugshots Bro (Frank Coppola Jr) rolled up first-over to challenge for the lead. Those two battled throughout the final quarter before Twisted Pretzel drew off late to win in 1:55.2, a seasonal best win time for the track’s defending top trotter. Mugshots Bro, who won his first career Open two weeks ago, was the runner-up on Sunday while the favored Tropical Storm Bi (Phil Fluet) earned the show spot. Twisted Pretzel paid $9.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $68 and $179.50, respectively, in the six-horse Open.
Live racing resumes on Thursday afternoon at Saratoga with a first post time of 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa SImser-Iovino
