Trotter Escaper and pacing mare Surfinmakescents A won the co-featured $25,000 Open Handicaps on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 1 at Saratoga Casino Hotel. 

In the Open Trot, Escaper ($9.68) and driver Jay Randall moved first-over from third and overwhelmed the race’s longshot leader Duke Lavictoire (Brett Beckwith), who gave way approaching the three-quarter pole. Escaper took over at that point but was met with the challenge of Wolfpack Zach (Jacob Cutting), a 15-time winner this year. The likely Trotter of the Year at Saratoga tried to reel in Escaper, but the chase proved to be futile. Escaper recorded his first Saratoga Open win in 1:55.2 by 1-1/2 lengths over Wolfpack Zach while favourite Dealin With Dewey (Wally Hennessey) earned the show spot. A career winner of 25 races and more than $430,000 in earnings, the five-year-old Muscle Hill-Top Expectations gelding is currently campaigned by trainer Kevin McDermott and owner Rotiboy4eva Racing Stable of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania.

Despite being handicapped with post eight the top distaff pace, favourite Surfinmakescents A ($3.34) made every pole a winning one for a two-length tally in a career-best 1:53 clocking. Owned, trained and driven by Larry Stalbaum, the seven-year-old Vincent-Our Surfer Girl mare earned her fourth Open win at the Spa since arriving in North America earlier this year. Vel Cinderella (Brett Beckwith) and Delta Three N (Matty Athearn) followed in second and third, respectively.

Live harness racing continues on Monday at Saratoga with a first post time of 12 p.m.

(Standardbred Canada with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel; photo of Escaper from a previous win at Running Aces)