In a class that's traded blows week after week, Hudson Phil this time emerged victorious in the $15,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday (Dec. 12).
Following a third-place finish in last week’s feature, Hudson Phil was the even-money favourite in Sunday’s installment of the Open. The Jackie Greene trainee wound up first-over while in pursuit of front-stepping Andreios Kardia. Hudson Phil didn’t remain overland for long as he powered past the leader approaching the three-quarter pole before drawing away to what became insurmountable lead. The six-year-old pacer, who recently became a half millionaire, stopped the clock in 1:53.2 to boost his seasonal earnings to over the $100,000 mark. Macheasy A, a four-time winner of the Open this year, was the runner-up to Hudson Phil on Sunday while Andreios Kardia had to settle for third.
Hudson Phil, who was piloted to victory by Billy Dobson, became the fifth different winner of the Open Pace in the last five installments. He is owned by the Kellogg Racing Stables of Queensbury, N.Y., whose Moonshine Kisses is another four-time winner in the Open in the 2021 season at the Spa. Hudson Phil paid $4.10 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $12.20 and $68, respectively.
Live racing continues on Monday afternoon (Dec. 12) with a matinee starting at 12 p.m. (EST).
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)