Just Make Believe was a nominee for Trotter of the Year last season at Saratoga Casino Hotel, as the John Di Stefano trainee was a force on the local circuit in 2016. On Sunday afternoon, the seven-year-old made his return to ‘the Spa’ to compete in the $12,000 Open Trot.

Driver Jim Devaux moved Just Make Believe early.

Released at post-time odds of 3-1, Just Make Believe wound up sitting the pocket to the favoured On The Podium (driven by Bruce Aldrich Jr.) as that one battled last week’s Open winner, Slugfest (Jay Randall), who was first over.

Just Make Believe became a reality in the stretch when he surged by to take over the lead under the shadow of the wire. He came on to win it by a head in 1:57.4 on another cold afternoon at Saratoga.

Slugfest finished second best while On The Podium had to settle for the show spot. It was the first victory in two starts in ‘17 for Just Make Believe, who coming off of a year in which he piled up 13 wins from 34 starts. The winner paid $8.00 and led an exacta and triactor that returned $32.40 and $95.50, respectively.

Live racing at Saratoga will resume on Thursday afternoon, as a matinee is set to begin at 12:15 p.m.

(Saratoga)