Hot Joe completed a series sweep of the Charlie Hoffman Pacing Series on Saturday night, Dec. 7 at Saratoga Casino Hotel when he closed from off the pace to prevail for the third consecutive week.

Joe Nassimos trains the Vernon Downs-based pacer, who owned just one win in 2024 before the launch of the annual Charlie Hoffman Pacing Series in late November. Hot Joe sprung the upset in leg one going coast-to-coast in a series best 1:54.4, doing so at odds of 22-1, before repeating as the even-money favourite in leg two last weekend on Nov. 30. 

In Saturday’s 30,141 final, Hot Joe was forced to come from off the pace and driver Leon Bailey sat back patiently in lap one with the six-year-old Roll With Joe gelding, who came away sixth in an opening quarter that went in :27.1 on a chilly December night. As the leaders began to tire, Quagmire Bluechip (Chris Long) took command at the three-quarter pole while Hot Joe followed that one’s cover and longshot Yamaka (Aaron Byron) converged on that tandem from the back of the pack. Hot Joe took over the lead at the head of the stretch and held off the bid from 47-1 shot Yamaka en route to a 1:55.1 score to complete the series sweep. Quagmire Bluechip finished third.

Hot Joe paid $9.70 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $266.50 and $1,001 (for $2 wagers), respectively.

The series winner is owned by Jc’s Get R Done Stable of Buffalo, New York.

Leon Bailey, the 2024 driving champion at Vernon Downs, piloted four winners on the 12-race card. 

The Charlie Hoffman Pacing Series began eight years ago recognizing the longtime employee of the track who worked in the mutuel department for more than six decades. Hoffman, at the age of 101, was in attendance on Saturday night for a presentation in the winner’s circle to the victor of the series named in his honour. Hoffman is the longest ever employee of the track and was joined by friends and former co-workers to greet Hot Joe and his connections with his well-known smile and quick wit. Charlie Hoffman, truly a Saratoga treasure.   

Live harness racing continues on Sunday at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at 12 p.m.

(Saratoga Casino Hotel)