While Artful Way has been the dominant force among Open pacers at Saratoga Casino Hotel for the last couple of years, the Open Trot has been much more wide open.
That was until recently when Ulster has transformed into the track’s superstar trotter and on Sunday afternoon, the seven-year-old son of Glidemaster continued his hot stretch.
Ulster won his first local Open late last season and repeated in the Sunday feature on closing day of the 2017 campaign. The Amanda Facin trainee picked up right where he left off this year and on Sunday won the $12,000 Open Trot for the third time in four ’18 tries.
Driver Jay Randall changed tactics with Ulster this week and moved the rising star out to the early lead in the feature. After going a first half in :57.1, Ulster had plenty left for the final lap and wound up stopping the timer in 1:55.2 for his third victory in four starts in Open company this season. Crazycat (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) finished second in his debut in the trotting feature while Cash Me Out (Mark Beckwith) earned the show spot. The final time was the fastest for any trotter thus far this season at the Spa.
Ulster, who paid $5.00 to win in his most recent victory, is owned by Joe Facin and Joe Facin, Jr. of Greenwich, NY.
Live racing resumes on Thursday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)