Blazing Home N sizzled in freezing conditions at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 7 as the New Zealand import won the $22,603 Winners Over/Open Handicap Pace. 

Tony Morgan, the second-winningest driver of all time, was in town and catch-drove Blazing Home N for trainer Larry Stalbaum. The gelding was the 3-5 favourite and got a pocket trip behind veteran Hezzz A Wise Sky (Jacob Cutting). That one blistered through a quarter in :26.2 before getting a breather and reaching the half in :56 with Frisco Bay N (Matt Athearn) parked and pressing. The latter dropped out of it before three-quarters in 1:25.3, leaving Hezzz A Wise Sky to lead into the stretch where Blazing Home N popped the pocket and surged by the pacesetter to win in 1:54.4 by 1-1/4 lengths. Hezzz A Wise Sky held second while Vanderbilt N (Ron Cushing) closed to finish third. 

Blazing Home N, who started the season with a pair of Open wins at Northfield Park, recorded his third victory in five starts on the young campaign. Stalbaum owns the seven-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven, who is now 23-for-75 lifetime. The win price was $3.40.

Live racing resumes at Saratoga on Monday with a matinee that begins at noon.

(Saratoga Raceway)