Slip The Hundy N sprung the upset in the Open for the second consecutive Saturday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The Rob Harmon-trained pacer prevailed in the top class last week. This Saturday night, Oct. 5, Slip The Hundy N was once again piloted by Jay Randall when he got away last in the $20,027 Open Handicap Pace.

The speed sizzled up front and when the leading Talking Tom (Chris Long) was confronted by a first-over Ahi Sunshine (Brett Beckwith), the table was set for the race’s closers. Ahi Sunshine paced his third quarter in :27.3 as he collared the leader to take control in 1:24 before Randall tipped Slip The Hundy N to the far outside around the final turn. When he reached the payoff path, Ahi Sunshine was desperate to hold off the late bid from the 12-1 longshot Slip The Hundy N and in the end was bested by the Harmon trainee in a mile clocked in 1:53.1. Slip The Hundy N was seventh and last at the three-quarter pole as the longest shot on the board but emerged victorious when he prevailed in the feature’s photo finish. Ahi Sunshine finished as the runner-up while Alluneedisfaith N (Shawn Gray) came on to be third.

Slip The Hundy N led an exacta and triple that returned $163 and $1,697 (on $2 wagers), respectively.

The back-to-back Open winner, who has tallied nine victories now in 2024 from 27 starts, is owned by Mike Casalino Jr. The seven-year-old gelded son of Lincoln Royal went over the $200,000 mark in earnings with his 24th lifetime win.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)