Uncle Jord A (Rock N Roll Heaven) was the runner-up in the Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on two occasions before winning the feature on March 25th. Alicia Gray trains the Aussie invader who has been strong in his first season for his connections. Following a tough post draw led to a fifth-place finish in his start leading up to Saturday’s try, Uncle Jord A was aggressive in the early going in the $17,000 Open as reinsman Shawn Gray quarter-moved the eight year old pacer to the lead. Once he got there, he never looked back. Uncle Jord A enjoyed leisurely fractions on the engine as he hit the half in 58.2 before checking in at three-quarters in 1:26.4. A first-over Nuttin But Finesse (Leon Bailey) fought gamely overland as the favored Rocknroll Runa A (Matt Athearn) came charging hard in the final quarter. Uncle Jord A held strong in the stretch to win in 1:54.4 and record his second victory in the local Open for owner Doug Overhiser of New Smyrna Beach, FL. Rocknroll Runa A hit the board for the sixth consecutive week as he motored home to finish second while Nuttin But Finesse earned the show spot. Uncle Jord A paid $8.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $17 and $62, respectively. With the earnings from his Saturday score, Uncle Jord A is now less than a thousand dollars away from reaching the quarter million dollar mark in career bankroll.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee slated to begin at noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Jessica Hallett
Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, New York
