Canadian-owned and bred trotter Up Helly AA made his return to Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday, Feb. 3 following a two-race stint at Batavia Downs this winter and gave trainer Jaymes McAssey back-to-back Open wins at the meet.

Up Helly AA prevailed in the Batavia Open last time out on Jan. 23 and subsequently was the 9-5 betting favourite in the first $21,739 Open Handicap Trot of the year contested at the Spa. Shawn Gray drove the six-year-old Armbro Barrister-Burnt With Finesse gelding, who raced parked to the opening quarter in :28.2 before clearing the around the paddock turn and coasting through a first half in :58.3. Feeling pressure from Bluffinner (Jordan Derue), a winner of back-to-back Opens to wrap up his 2024 campaign, Up Helly AA stood up to the challenge and rebuffed that rival before holding off Malibu Kid (Matt Athearn) in the stretch to score in 1:57 by three-quarters of a length. Remember Titans (Brett Beckwith) came from a long way back to finish third over Bluffinner.

The two-time Atlantic Breeders Crown champion earned his 30th career win, which lifted his earnings over a quarter of a million dollars. He paid $5.60 to win.

Up Helly AA is currently owned by Ian Fromowitz of Richmond Hill, Ont.

The Saratoga meet began on Sunday and for the second consecutive afternoon, McAssey scored a training double highlighted by an Open victory. The Good Doctor won the top pacing event on the Sunday opening day program.

Live harness racing continues on Tuesday afternoon with a matinee set for 12 noon.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)