Thursday afternoon (June 18) marked the return of racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel, as the track hosted a 13-dash program on a beautiful day in the 'Spa City.'

With only about a month of the scheduled season having been contested in 2020 heading into Thursday, trainer-driver Alek Chartrand had just ten starts as a conditioner and six as a reinsman under his belt this year. The return card was a big one for the 35-year-old, as he enjoyed his best day of the 'young season.' Chartrand not only recorded a pair of victories, but secured both wins with horses that had drawn Post 8.

The dazzling mile of the day came from a Chartrand trainee that was making just his second lifetime start. My Pal Joe (by Roll With Joe) raced only once as a freshman in 2019, but came into Thursday’s event for maiden pacers off of an impressive 1:56.3 romp in a recent qualifier. Chartrand powered My Pal Joe out from his outside post and made it to the top. The sophomore dominated his group of fellow three-year-olds before scoring a decisive 11-length win in an eye-popping 1:53.4.

My Pal Joe, victorious at Saratoga Casino Hotel on June 18, 2020.

Chartrand’s Onspeed N (Bettors Delight) also drew the unfortunate task of starting from Post 8 on Thursday when she made her local debut. Dismissed at odds of 16-1, Onspeed N pulled off the upset in her first 'Spa' start, as she parlayed a pocket trip to a win in 1:57.1. Onspeed N, a new addition to Chartrand’s stable, paid $35.60 to win on Thursday.

Trainer Jaymes McAssey and driver Jordan Derue teamed up for a pair of victories on the matinee card (Derue piloting three winners in total).

Live racing will continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a 13-race card set to get underway at 12 noon.

(Saratoga Casino Hotel)