The ninth annual Gary Kamal Memorial Pacing Series final served as the Saturday, Oct. 28 feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Rock Solid Express came in as the one to beat after prevailing in leg two and three of the series following a runner-up try in the first leg. Wally Hennessey has been piloting the Jessico Okusko-trained pacer and has thrived when sitting behind the speedy sophomore son of Huntsville.
Rock Solid Express was the public’s even-money favourite in the $36,900 final and wasted little time moving out to a :27.1 first quarter before getting a breather. The three-year-old clicked off a first half in :57.3 and remained comfortable on the lead until pocket-sitting Twin B Kingston (Matt Athearn) moved to confront him around the final turn. Twin B Kingston was the runner-up to Rock Solid Express when they squared off in leg three and looked to be a big danger to the favourite in the stretch before having to settle for second-best when Rock Solid Express dug in to win in 1:54.1.
The Okusko trainee moved his record to five-for-five when Hennessey has been in the sulky.
Twin B Kingston was the back-half of a $25.20 exacta while Hunky Hanover (Phil Fluet) rounded out a triple that paid $88.50.
Rock Solid Express is owned by James De Armond and David Towne, both of New York.
Pickup Man Hanover ($9.20) and Luke Hanners won the $15,000 Open Handicap Pace in wire-to-wire fashion by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54. The four-year-old son of Huntsville is trained by Jaymes McAssey for owners Dennis and Simone Noud. Isaac (Shawn McAssey) held on for second off a pocket trip while the first-over favourite, Century Endeavor, (Brett Beckwith), edged out another pair to show.
Live harness racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at noon.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)