In The Huddle pulled off a mild upset in the Open Pace on Saturday night (October 1) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Joe DeCarlo-trained pacer rode a three-race win streak into his debut in the local Open. Reinsman Jimmy Devaux took the 9-1 shot In The Huddle back early as the fractions were fierce in lap one of the $16,000 feature. After sitting patiently while first half splits of :26.3 and :54.4 were carved out, In The Huddle made his move up the backstretch before fanning to the far outside turning for home. The four-year-old American Ideal gelding emerged victorious from a scramble in the stretch, coming on to win in 1:52.4, besting BJs Guy (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) and Southwind Amazon, who finished second and third, respectively.
Less than three lengths covered the entire field at the wire in what was one of the most competitive local features in the 2016 season at the Spa.
In The Huddle, a $10,000 claim back in June, has rattled off six wins in his eight starts out of the DeCarlo stable. Paying $20.40 to win, In The Huddle led an exacta that paid $75 and a triple that came back $460.
The winner is owned by Bigshow Racing Stable.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon featuring a Pick 5 carryover of $2,586. The matinee kicks off at 12:15 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga)