Optical Illusion N put forth a front-stepping effort to take the $16,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday night (March 11).
Driver Chris Long retook the lead heading to the opening quarter with Optical Illusion N, the race’s 4-5 betting favourite, and set a fast tempo of :27 and :56 in lap one. Optical Illusion N was tasked with fending off a strong first-over bid from Belmont Major N, a task in which he succeeded holding off that rival to prevail in 1:52.1. Belmont Major N went a long way overland to finish second while Rocknroll Runa A earned the show spot.
A nominee for Pacer of the Year in 2022 at the Spa, Optical Illusion N’s victory was his first in the Open this season. He led an exacta and triple that paid $39.80 and $215, respectively. The seven-year-old New Zealand invader, who won 12 times in ’22, is owned by Kim Zabielski and his trainer Lisa Zabielski.
Long and Zabielski teamed up later in the card for a victory with Mount Royal, who scored in leg one of the Step Up To The Plate Claiming Series for pacers. Long piloted three winners on the Saturday card in total.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon (March 12) with a matinee that begins at 12 p.m. (EDT).
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)