Four-year-old trotter City Of Hope won the $20,548 Open Handicap at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, June 8.

City Of Hope was named Saratoga's Three-Year-Old Trotter of the Year in 2023. The Dave Dewhurst-trained trotter enjoyed a 14-win sophomore campaign heading into the 2024 season in which he has been competing in large part in Opens. On Saturday evening, the Mets Hall gelding was the 3-5 betting favourite in the top class for trotters.

Driver Jimmy Devaux moved the talented high-stepper out to the early lead and never looked back. City Of Hope coasted unopposed through a first half in a leisurely :58.2 and though a first-over Comeonover Hanover (Billy Dobson) toughed it out and posed a mild threat to the favoured leader, City Of Hope proved to be too tough in a mile clocked in 1:56.4. Comeonover Hanover fought gamely before finishing second while dismissed at odds of 11-1. Malibu Kid (Matt Athearn) closed to finish third.

City Of Hope’s Saturday score was his third on the season from 12 starts. After posting a new mark of 1:54.3 two races ago at Tioga Downs, he recorded his 18th career win, bringing his bankroll to $215,685 through 55 starts.

He paid $3.40 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $41.40 and $202.50, respectively.

City Of Hope is owned in partnership by Dewhurst and Philip Hale. 

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)