Off at odds of 15-1, Repeal Or Replace ripped to a 1:53.2 victory in the $15,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday (Nov. 14).
Leon Bailey picked up the catch drive behind the John Podres-trained Repeal Or Replace, who drew post 2. Repeal Or Replace sat third in the early going through fast fractions of :27.1 and :56.1. Bailey made his move with the four-year-old son of So Surreal approaching the three-quarter pole, and Repeal Or Replace powered past the leader before opening a big lead turning for home. By the time the favourite Artful Way could shake loose and shift gears, it was too late for the veteran pacer to track down Repeal Or Replace, who scored his first victory in the local Open. Artful Way came up second-best while Lake Charles earned the show spot.
Repeal Or Replace paid $32.20 to win in the upset score and led an exacta and triple in the feature that returned $138 and $467.50, respectively. For Bailey, the win was his first ever in a local Open and one of two on the day for the 35 year old reinsman who has been on a tear of late at the Spa. Repeal Or Replace is owned by Karma Racing Inc. of Parkland, FL.
Live racing continues on Monday afternoon (Nov. 15) with a Pick-5 carryover of $2,661. The Pick 5 begins in the first race, which is scheduled for 12 p.m. (EST).
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)