Bet You worked hard early and it paid off late in the Saturday (November 12) feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Heidi Rohr-trained pacer has been a winning machine this season out of town, but recorded his first local victory of the year in the $18,000 Open Handicap Pace. Stephane Bouchard urged Bet You at the start and powered the four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding out to the early lead, working hard to get to the top in :27.1. The veteran reinsman gave Bet You a very effective second quarter breather, and after reaching the half in 57 seconds, fended off several challengers before hanging on to win by the slimmest of margins in 1:54. Sassy Hanover (Billy Dobson) sat the pocket to Bet You and closed quickly in the passing lane to be within a nose at the wire. Longshot Ideal Magic (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot.
Bet You was one of three co-favourites at odds of 2-1 in the seven-horse Open and started an exacta and triple that paid $29.60 and $126.50, respectively.
Bet You is owned by Thomas Dillon of Anson, Maine.
Armor Hanover and driver Bruce Aldrich Jr. coasted to an impressive four-length win Sunday in Saratoga's $16,000 Open Handicap Trot in 1:54.1. The seven-year-old SJs Caviar gelding is trained by Douglas Berkeley, who co-owns with Leslie Berkeley of Brantford, Ont.
(With files from Saratoga)