Majestic Fire moved up into the Open Trot on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 13) at Saratoga Casino Hotel following an 11-length romp last weekend in his first start for trainer David Yates. Majestic Fire posted a dazzling 1:55.3 last weekend but drew post six for Sunday’s try in the $16,000 feature.
Luke Hanners piloted Majestic Fire to his impressive score and sat behind him once again this week. The young reinsman asked the seven-year-old trotter for early speed and when they couldn’t find an early landing spot drove on to the lead. Majestic Fire posted fast fractions of :28 and 57 seconds in the first half before clicking off three-quarters in 1:25.3. Although he had built a big lead, Majestic Fire was under Hanners urging turning for home as he seemed to be tiring a bit. The red-hot trotter had enough to hang on to win by a half-length in a mile clocked in 1:56 for his first Open Trot victory.
Majestic Fire paid $9.50 in the mild Open upset and led an exacta, with Grinder (Jimmy Devaux) second, that returned $58. The favoured Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) came on to finish third and complete a $184 triple.
Majestic Fire gave Hanners one of his three winners on the Sunday card. The Majestic Son gelding is owned by Josh Cukerstein of Halfmoon, New York.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)