The opening day of the 77th racing season at Saratoga Raceway Sunday, Feb. 18 was highlighted by a $12,000 Open Trot, won by Ulster in 1:57.1, and Open Pace, won by Do Over Hanover in 1:54.

Driver Jay Randall sat patiently with Ulster before making his move around the final turn with the Amanda Facin-trained seven-year-old son of Glidemaster. Capping his 2017 season on a three-race win streak, Ulster won his fourth consecutive in the Open Trot, doing so at odds of 7-2.

Do Over Hanover powered past his rivals in the stretch to win the Open Pace with Billy Dobson in the sulky. The Rene Allard-trained son of Western Ideal bested his rivals by one-and-three-quarter lengths and returned $5.80 to win.

The afternoon card was one of four matinee programs to be contested in February at the Spa, with the next on Monday, Feb. 19 for the President’s Day card. The 11-race matinee kicks off at 12:15 p.m.

(Saratoga)