Blazing Home N was blazing fast on Sunday afternoon, winning the $21,428 Open Handicap Pace in one of the fastest miles yet of the Saratoga season through March 16.
The Larry Stalbaum trainee got the seven-hole on the gate in the outside post draw but overcame the bad post luck by putting in a monster mile in rein to Matthew Athearn. Blazing Home N left a bit early and settled in fourth in the early stages of the Sunday feature before committing first-over on the race’s favourite and last week’s Open winner, Itsallaboutfaith N (Shawn Gray). The 6-5 top choice in the wagering, Itsallaboutfaith N fought gamely on the front-end, setting fractions of 27, :56.3, 1:25.2 along the way, but ultimately succumbed to the pressure of Blazing Home N, who toughed out a first-over victory in 1:53.3 to match the fastest win time of the season for any horse at Saratoga in 2025. Itsallaboutfaith N was the runner-up, finishing one length behind, while Primo Uomo (Jimmy Devaux) earned the show spot.
Blazing Home N improved to two-for-five since arriving in North America this year and has won 15 of his 37 career starts while earning $183,800. An outside post winner in the Open during his Saratoga debut on March 2, he paid $5.80 to win in his return.
The six-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven-Capture My Heart gelding is owned by Stalbaum, who had a training double on the 13-race matinee card.
Andrew Adamczyk led all trainers on the day with a triple.
Live harness racing continues at Saratoga on Monday with a 12 p.m. post time.
(With files Saratoga Casino Hotel)