Six trotters made up the $17,000 Winners Over/Open Handicap Trot on Sunday afternoon (June 18) at Saratoga Casino Hotel and Angel Nation came out on top. 

Brett Beckwith was in the bike for the bettors’ choice as they took position on the far outside. Every horse fought for the early lead, but The Royal Poze secured the pylon real estate. By The Book was locked on the outside and Angel Nation was at his heels as they passed the opening panel in :27.3. By The Book cleared the front and Angel Nation took over from him as they approached the half in :56.4. Angel Nation kept on rolling through the three-quarters in 1:26.1. Down the stretch, By The Book challenged the Melissa Beckwith trainee and it came down to the wire between the two top choice trotters. Angel Nation stuck his head out to win in 1:55. Bluffiner took third. 

William Hartt owns the son of Archangel and the Deweycheatumnhowe mare Seawind Pascale. The six-year-old gelding moved his seasonal record to 7-4-4 and $113,990 in earnings. In his career, Angel Nation has had 25 wins to go along with $416,986 in earnings. 

In the Winners-Over Trot, Esa (Wally Hennessey) rode a pocket trip behind Majestic Fire through the quarter in :27.2 and half in :57.2. Hennessey tipped the John Hallett trainee out of the pocket before three-quarters in 1:26.2 and the pair took off down the stretch to a one-length victory in 1:56.2. Makadushin N Cheez was second and Powerscourt finished fourth, but was placed third. 

Esa, the son of E L Titan and the Andover Hall mare Christiana Hanover, is owned by John Hallett and Ronald Prohm. The seven-year-old horse has $90,381 and eight wins this season. In his career, Esa has 25 wins and $309,013 in earnings. 

Racing resumes at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday with a first post of 12 p.m. (EDT).

(Saratoga Casino Hotel)