Little Willy Comes Up Big In Saratoga Open
Driver Brett Beckwith and trainer Mark Beckwith have been sitting atop their respective standings at Saratoga Casino Hotel in recent weeks and the father-son combo teamed up for another pair of victories on Saturday, April 13, including one in the night's feature.
Little Willy came into Saturday’s Open Handicap Pace off a win last week on April 6 in which he won in the condition ranks. The six-year-old Up The Credit gelding drew post three for his try in the $20,548 featured event this weekend and wound up coming first-over on the race’s favourite, last week’s Open winner Heaven On High N (Larry Stalbaum). Little Willy took it to the favourite and wore him down after three-quarters in 1:23.4. Lanjo Lee (Jay Randall) followed the cover of Little Willy but came up a half-length shy of reeling him in in a mile clocked in 1:54.
Little Willy paid $13 to win and led an exacta with Lanjo Lee second that returned $58.50. Heaven On High N earned the show spot and rounded out a $150 trifecta.
Little Willy is owned by his trainer, Mark Beckwith, who had a pair of victories on the Saturday card as he and leading driver, son Brett, teamed up for a score with Youaremyrock later on the program. Brett Beckwith scored five wins on the night, a feat he has been accomplishing with regularity these days at the Spa.
Live harness racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee that starts at noon.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)