Wolfpack Zach continues to rack up the wins at Saratoga Casino Hotel as the Joel Flanders trainee picked up his 13th victory of the season with a 1:54.1 career-best effort in the $25,714 Open Handicap Trot on Monday, June 29.

The four-year-old E L Platinum-Vandalous gelding began his year competing against younger horses in lower classifications and has stepped up into Open company in recent weeks. He's quickly stamped himself as the one to beat in the “way too early” Saratoga Horse of the Year race.

Wolfpack Zach came into Monday’s assignment as a winner of back-to-back starts against the track’s top high-steppers. After swooping the group last week (June 22) for his third Open win of the season, Wolfpack Zach was again relegated to closing duties on Monday, although reinsman Jacob Cutting did advance a bit early from the outside post seven to settle the 8-5 second-choice in the betting into fourth early in the mile.

The favourite, But Why (Jimmy Devaux), carved out first-half fractions of :27.3 and :57.2 before being confronted by Wolfpack Zach, who unloaded on the leader before surging into what turned out to be an insurmountable lead. The razor sharp local trotting star stopped the timer in 1:54.1 in a time that matched his own clocking from earlier in the meet as the fastest of the year for any trotter at the Spa.

Dealin With Dewey (Wally Hennessey) came on to be second to hit the board for the fourth consecutive week in the Open while Big Box Hanover (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot for the second straight week in the trotting feature. 

Wolfpack Zach improved to 13-for-17 this season after three wins in his debut campaign last year for North Carolina owners Stuart Chambers Racing, Bcjm Inc., and Divine Horse Racing. His 13 wins are tied for third most in North America so far in 2026.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)