Lanjo Lee was dismissed at odds of 13-1 at post time despite being installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite in Monday’s 21,429 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel, and proved the betting public wrong with a 1:54.4 triumph in rein to recent Spa newcomer, Alberta native Jacob Cutting.
Lanjo Lee, who faded to sixth in his seasonal return last week on Feb. 2, wound up first-over in Monday’s installment of the Open. Cutting got the catch-drive behind the Jeff Sorenson trainee, who overpowered a tiring leader approaching the three-quarter pole before drawing away to an insurmountable lead. Lanjo Lee checked in as a 3-1/2-length winner over the 'good' going. Last week’s Open winner, The Good Doctor (Brett Beckwith), closed from well off the pace to be the runner-up to Lanjo Lee while the race’s post time favourite, Rocknroll Runa A (Matt Athearn), earned the show spot.
Lanjo Lee, a six-year-old gelding by So Surreal out of My Drag Queen, earned his 26th career win while his lifetime earnings surpassed the $300,000 mark for owner Gordon Swift of Bath, New York.
He paid $28 to win for the upset and led an exacta and triple that returned $136 and $466 (on $2 wagers).
Live harness racing continues on Tuesday afternoon with a matinee set to begin at 12 p.m. There will be a Pick 5 carryover of $3,779 beginning in the card’s first race.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)