Heaven On High N prevailed in his Saratoga Casino Hotel debut on Saturday night, winning the $20,270 Open Pace. 

Larry Stalbaum trains and drives the seven-year-old New Zealand invader, who drew post eight for his first start in the local Open Pace, and the veteran reinsman just kept rolling Heaven On High N up on the outside while parked throughout a first quarter that went in :28.1. The longshot powered up to the front, clicking off a half in :56.3 before facing numerous challengers in the second lap. The favoured My Pal Joe (Shawn Gray) was left to grind it out first-over and applied pressure to the longshot leader while rivals closed in on Heaven On High N, who proved up to the task. The Rock N Roll Heaven gelding, who is owned by Shark Racing Stable of Bainbridge, New York, stopped the timer in 1:54.

The Spa first-timer paid $69.50 as a 33-1 longshot. My Pal Joe, the 1-5 betting favourite, was the runner-up in a $215.50 exacta while Lanjo Lee (Jay Randall) completed a $464.50 triple.

The Stalbaum stable now owns three victories in the Open Pace this season as his Rocknroll Runa A scored two consecutive top class events back in February.

The Saturday card was also highlighted by the meet’s leading connections as leading driver Brett Beckwith piloted five winners on the card while teaming up with his father and Spa leading trainer Mark Beckwith for four consecutive wins on the program.

Live harness racing continues with a Sunday matinee that begins at noon.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)