Under The Stars rallied from out of the clouds to win the 2016 Holiday Trot final at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Thursday evening.
Frank Mc Mahon trains the nine-year-old son of Yankee Glide, whose second place finish in leg one of the series propelled him to Thursday’s final.
Phil Fluet piloted Under The Stars, who got a second over trip behind the race’s favourite Golden Stroke (Stephane Bouchard), the only trotter to score victories in each of the legs of the series heading into the $15,450 final. When Golden Stroke was tiring, Fluet guided Under The Stars to the far outside as front-running Tagmaster (Tony Ciuffetelli) was started to falter on the lead. Under The Stars got up to win in 2:00.1 on a cold December evening in Saratoga and did so at odds of 8-1. My Friend Charlie (Mark Beckwith), dismissed at odds of 10-1 came charging hard for second while Tagmaster held on to earn the show spot.
Under The Stars returned $19.60 to win.
There are three race cards remaining in the 2016 campaign at Saratoga with racing on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 6:45 p.m. and on Sunday with a matinee that kicks off at 12:15 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)