In just his fourth North American start, Some Waratah A put up the fastest mile of the young racing season at Saratoga Casino Hotel, winning the featured $12,000 Open Pace in 1:53.

Greg Merton moved the seven-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere to the top to set fast fractions throughout before turning aside a brief challenge from Walkinshaw N (Jimmy Devaux) in mid-stretch. Pocket rival Crockets Cullen N (Larry Stalbaum) wound up finishing second; Walkinshaw N faded to third.

Some Waratah A, who paid $3.90 to win in his Saratoga debut, was one of two winners on the card for Merton, trainer Amanda Kelley, and the Scheigert Racing Stable.

Live racing at Saratoga resumes on Wednesday (March 17); first post is 12 noon.

(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)