Way To Sweet Upsets In Bunny Lake Pace

On what was a big afternoon for her connections, Way Too Sweet pulled off the upset in the Bunny Lake Pace Final on Monday afternoon at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Andy Gardner sits second in the trainer standings at the Spa this year and on Monday, the conditioner scored a hat trick. Gardners Way Too Sweet was a leg-three winner in the Bunny Lake Pace but was faced with the task of defeating Racey Rach N (Chris Long) in the $34,200 Series Final. Racey Rach N rattled off an incredible eleven consecutive wins upon coming to Saratoga this summer but showed a bit of vulnerably for the first time when defeated in her leg three try last week.

The Lisa Zabielski-trained Racey Rach N was the 1-9 betting favourite once again on Monday afternoon and sat the pocket to rival Captains Star (Shawn Gray) in a first half that went in :58. Way Too Sweet and driver Jordan Derue powered up first-over and duelled with Captains Star for the majority of the second lap before wearing the leader down turning for home. Racey Rach N pulled the pocket around the final turn and swept up three-wide in the stretch to square off with Way Too Sweet before ultimately coming up just shy in a mile clocked in 1:55.3. Racey Rach N had to settle for second while Captains Star earned the show spot.

Way Too Sweet, who is owned by George Tackley and Wendy Storrier, recorded her fifth and biggest victory of the season, paying $23.80 to win.

The score in the Series Final was one of four in sulky on the afternoon for Jordan Derue who also guided his Always Watching to a victory in the Fillies and Mares Open as well as piloting a pair of winners for his brother trainer Brett Derue.

Way Too Sweet adds her name to the short list of Bunny Lake Pace Series’ winners that started last year when North Country swept the first annual series.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with first post time set for 5 p.m.

(Saratoga Casino Hotel)