Bobs Hope was riding a two-race win streak heading into Sunday’s (March 17) $15,000 Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The gelded bay had spent his winter racing in Florida and made his Sunday return to the ‘Spa’ riding a two-race win streak. Jay Randall had received the call for the Sunday driving assignment. The son of Donato Hanover started from the rail for trainer Amanda Kelley.

Randall situated Bobs Hope into the pocket spot in the early going. Wings Of Royalty (who was driven by Shawn Gray), who was making his first local start of the season, moved out to an easy lead during what was a chilly Sunday afternoon.

Bobs Hope, pictured victorious at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday, March 17, 2019

Bobs Hope tracked the leader throughout the mile and popped the pocket around the final turn. The seven-year-old surged by in the stretch and then drew away to win in 1:58. The race’s favourite, Cash Me Out (Phil Fluet), got up for second while Wings Of Royalty held on for third.

Bobs Hope, whose earnings from Sunday’s score moved him over the $200,000 for his career, was dismissed at odds of 5-1 in his return to Saratoga. Bobs Hope paid $12.80 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $33.80 and $114, respectively.

Live racing at Saratoga will resume on Wednesday afternoon with a first post time set for 12:00 p.m.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)