Trainer Zach Vickerson has made an impact in the later portion of the season at Saratoga Casino Hotel and on Saturday night, Dec. 14, the young conditioner went back-to-back, highlighted by a score in the evening’s feature with Rock Candy.
Vickerson brought Rock Candy (sired by Pet Rock) to town late in the summer and the eight-year-old made an immediate impact in the claiming ranks. Vickerson saw his veteran pacer move up in company all the way into the Open where he debuted on Nov. 30. In that start, Rock Candy outclosed his rivals to prevail in his first ever try in the local feature.
On Saturday night, Rock Candy was the 8-5 betting favourite as he once again wound up getting a first-over journey in the $21,429 Open Pace. Jay Randall has piloted Rock Candy in his last handful of starts and the veteran reinsman kept the favourite going to the flank of front-running Primo Uomo (Jimmy Devaux) who was attempting to go wire-to-wire. Rock Candy toughed it out overland before grinding the leader into submission and recording a 1:53.2 win in the feature. 11-1 shot Primo Uomo finished as a strong second, beaten by only a neck while General Montana N (Mitch Cushing) earned the show spot.
Rock Candy was the second half of a double for Vickerson and Randall, who teamed up with a victory with pacer Heavensway A (sired by Rock N Roll Heaven) as he moved his record to three-for-three while under the guidance of Vickerson. Heavensway A was claimed out of his $13,571 pacing race on Saturday.
Live harness racing continues on Sunday, Dec. 15 with action on closing day for the 2024 meet starting at 12 p.m. Prior to the race card, there will be a retirement ceremony for six 14-year-olds who will officially call it a career.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)