The first Open of the season at Saratoga Casino and Raceway yielded by far the biggest payout of the young campaign.

Saturday night’s $15,000 Open Pace was contested at a distance of 1-1/16 miles and there were several leavers who slugged it out in the early going. Texas Terror N was the race’s favourite and powered out to the early lead. Immediately met with the challenge of a parked out rival, Texas Terror N endured fractions of :27 and :54.3 in the first half. The field bunched up after three-quarters in 1:23.4 and it was longshot Donau (sired by American Ideal) who surged past his rivals and drew away to win by four and a half lengths.

Stephane Bouchard piloted the longshot winner, who lit up the board returning $99.50 while covering the 1-1/16 miles in 2:00 at odds of 48-1. Titus Seelster (Frank Coppola Jr.) was the runner-up and completed a $1,200 exacta while City Hall (Larry Stalbaum) earned the show spot.

The Andrew Adamczyk-trained Donau’s upset victory came in the seven-year-old pacer’s Saratoga debut.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m. There will be a t-shirt giveaway in recognition of the 75th anniversary of racing at Saratoga Raceway.

(Saratoga Raceway)